You made it! Well, almost. Senior year has been on your mind since the first time your Ugg-clad foot graced the off-white linoleum halls of your high school. Along with the Friday night football, great parking spots and sympathy from teachers also comes a lot of legitimate stress. You're about to enter a world where Mom doesn't do your laundry and home-cooked meals are a thing of the past. The college life will certainly be a 180; however, you have some more important business to tend to: senior year. In research for this article, I surveyed current or soon-to-be high school seniors who all shared some personal fears.
1. Getting an honors robe at graduation
At my high school, honors students wear red robes while everyone else wears white and blue. The bright red is meant to give recognition to those who worked hard all the way up until the last day.
2. Entering adulthood
Tax returns? Laundry? Grocery shopping? "Adult-ing" may take some getting used to.
3. Leaving the current "community"
Going to a city where you don't know all of the names of the runners on the street may be intimidating.
4. Spending too much time stressing
Tests get harder. Nights become longer. Class load gets heavier. How does anyone balance that with a social life?
5. Not living in the moment
It is easy to get caught up in the stresses that college brings; however, don't let this time dictate the dwindling time you have left with the people you love most.
6. Choosing the right college
50 states to choose from. 4,140 colleges to choose from. Nobody said it was easy. Well, maybe Coldplay said that.
7. Applying for college
Working all of those Saturday morning pancake breakfasts are finally paying off.
8. Finishing with strong grades
The last hurdle is ahead of you. Only one more night with your face buried in your AP Stats book. You got this.
9. The "lasts"
Last dance. Last home football game. Last pep rally. Last yearbook picture. Last sports season. Last school performance. Shall I go on?
10. Graduation parties
Every grad party is overflowing with friends and pasta salad; however, everyone seems to leave out the part where you lie awake the night before worrying if anyone will show up.
Whether you are a past, current, or upcoming senior, I am sure this list corresponds with some of the fears you had/have/will have in the upcoming years. This list of common fears is meant to show each senior that no one is going through this process alone. If you feel like you don't have a parent or family member to go to, try talking to a fellow senior. I can almost promise you that they have at one point experienced the same emotion you are currently feeling. Fittingly, I will close with a quote from High School Musical, "We're all in this together."
