It's almost the end of senior year. We have 45 days left of school and senioritis is hitting hard. Prom is creeping up on us and most of us are too excited to walk into a cramped ballroom in a dress or tuxedo and our entire night will cost more than our first bill from colleges. Keyword in that sentence is most. I can't even begin to talk about how much prom stresses me out, but I can try. It's already stressful trying to match colors with flowers and your date, making sure you're not busy, trying to plan rides with friends etc. etc. But not being one of the popular girls as well as being plus-sized, makes everything just that more stressful.

My school only has a senior prom so I only have one shot of making my prom night the best time I can have. With some people, you already know who they're going to prom with and they did their promposal in October, but for people like me, finding a prom date is harder than writing that English paper last week. People will tell me over and over that, I don't need a prom date but do I really want to walk around at prom by myself and not have the memories of going with a close friend or a romantic interest? With that, the search for a prom date begins. A romantic interest is not going to happen because I can tell you someone like me asking someone like them to prom? I might as well not ask and save myself the embarrassment. Going with a friend is truly my only option, but finding the right one is difficult; how is it even possible to find someone that is willing to spend a night dressed up with you and is free that night? I'm not quite sure because this year I asked six different people and they all turned me down because they were either busy or just didn't want to go. Friends are the best choice because they'll end up leaving you with the best memories, but just make sure you have the right person that you want to make all of those memories with. Choose one of your best friends or even go as a group!

Once you find yourself a date or a group of friends to spend your night with, you'll need something to wear. If your family barely makes enough to pay the bills and had to put away to buy your yearbook, your prom dress or tuxedo rental has a huge sticker shock. You search every thrift shop and discount dress shop for something nice but nothing just seems right so you finally convince your parents to let you go to an actual boutique. You find the perfect dress that fits you perfectly. You fall in love with it. You go to ring it out and then you feel your heart drop when you realize you have to spend $300+ dollars on your dream dress. Guess you'll be asking for extra hours the next few weeks.

Well, now you have a date or some friends and a dress, the rest is easy, right? Wrong. What about getting your hair to look just perfect and making sure your makeup is great? What about your nails looking good enough to outdo anyone else? What about the corsages, the ride there, the tickets, the shoes, the jewelry? With no doubt, you'll be dropping enough money that could have paid for your college textbooks. The financial burden of this one night is huge, and for some people, it just can't be done.

Why bother spending all this time, effort, and money trying to prepare for one night?

Prom is definitely one of the most stressful events of your high school career socially and financially, but why would you give up a once in a lifetime chance to spend quality time with the people you have grown with for the past four or more years? You will most likely never see any of these people again. You get to look like royalty for one night and make yourself feel beautiful (not like you aren't any other time). Prom is the central point of your high school career. Never let something as trivial as a date or a dress ruin your night. Go and have fun by yourself. Dance until your feet hurt and sing until your throat can't take anymore. It's one of your last hoorahs as a senior. Enjoy every second of it. One day, you'll be glad you did. Never give up any experience that will shape your life as much as prom will.