Congratulations. You've graduated. Senior year is over. Woohoo.

The next thing on the agenda is the infamous senior week. Senior week, or beach week, is like a small vacation for new high school graduates. For most, it's their first experience in the real world with no supervision. It's the start of the last summer hoorah's with your high school pals before you all start your lives. Some like to think of it as the period (or exclamation point) to their high school career.

In reality, it isn't.

There is so much pressure that comes along with planning your beach week. To start, everyone feels like they have to go. You hear from some people that senior beach week was the best week of their lives (which, in reality, sounds a little sad). But trust me, you are in no way obligated to attend your senior week. Take it from someone who didn't go on their senior trip—me.

Personally, I had little interest in attending beach week to begin with. Then, I factored in the hassle of buying a hotel room, getting friends together, having money for food and club expenses... which was a lot. I was headed off to college in August and found it better to save up money for that, as opposed to spending a lot of money for a senior trip in June. From a financial standpoint, staying home was the best option. The money that would have gone toward a roach motel, food, and clubs was better spent on college expenses and items for my dorm (win).

Have your own "senior trip" (without the beach)

Yes, it's possible (and cheaper). Take a couple of friends and take a small weekend trip, go to the pool, have a week-long sleepover, or just go somewhere you've never been! There are plenty of other cost-effective options for those who don't want to go to beach week. Truthfully, these options are just as fun, less expensive, and way less stressful. Also, you get some quality time with those few friends that will last beyond high school (some people don't even talk to some of the people they went to beach week with beyond that summer).

Trust me, the hype that comes with beach week is just hype. In most cases, you really start living after high school. Don't feel obligated to go on your senior trip. Don't feel bad for wanting to save your money. Don't feel left out, because it's time to start making memories of your own. As you enter this next chapter of your life, realize that it is a personal journey that is unlike anything you've experienced thus far. Whether you're going to college, entering the workforce, going to trade school, or whatever it may be—the memories you're about to make are far more astounding than senior trip could ever offer.