You finally made it. It’s the beginning of the fourth quarter (or marking period) of your senior year. I’m sure the senioritis kicked in months ago, but right now it’s hitting you HARD. You probably wake up 15 minutes before you have to be at school and rush there so you’re not late…unless you don’t mind rolling up an hour after the first bell rings and accept the tardiness. At my high school, being late counted against us, so you better believe I got myself to school right before homeroom started so I wouldn’t have to make up time at the end of the year.

Basically, all your motivation has slipped down the drain, and the only BIG decision you have to make in your life is where you’re going to college. Ah yes, the toughest, most crucial decision any high school senior has to make during the spring. You more than likely have gotten back all your acceptances (or unfortunate declines) so you have your options. But, how do you know which school is the best choice for you? Everyone is probably giving you their opinions on where you should go to college, solely based on what they’ve heard about each school on their own time. “It’s a party school, you won’t fit in!” “I heard they don’t do ANYTHING fun, you’ll be so bored.” Those are probably some of the comments you get back when telling others where you’re considering going. Well, don’t listen to them. They’re not the ones going there, you are. Don’t let the pressure of choosing a college get to you; the decision you make will be the best one for YOU.

Besides, why let the whole college decision get in the way of your last few months of high school?

Once you’ve decided on a college, there literally is nothing to worry about. For me, at least, after I decided on the school I was going to, all I could think about were the fun, final events I would have in high school: senior trip, prom, dance recitals, shows, and graduation.

Don’t forget the other events that aren’t necessarily hyped up like the bigger ones.

Go to that talent show on a Tuesday night to support one of your classmates; it might be the first and last time you could see them do something they love.

Go to random sporting events and show some school spirit. Everyone likes that senior who loudly cheers on their friends from the crowd because they know it’ll be the last time they see them play.

Take pictures EVERYWHERE. Literally. If you’re sitting in the cafeteria with your friends, whip out your phone and take some selfies, snapchat stories, anything really. Document those fun moments that are otherwise forgotten.

Once the bigger events happen, don’t wish them away. During your senior trip, take all the pictures and videos you possibly can. Run out of storage if you have to. Look at your friends and live in the moment—try new things, laugh at everything, and make the most of the adventure.

When prom rolls around, get your hair and makeup done; spoil yourself. Again, take cute pictures with your date and all your friends. Compliment each other and receive some back. When you actually get to prom, be the first one on the dance floor…who cares?! Dance like no one is watching you because, in reality, you won’t see any of those people again.

What a thought.

Graduation will finally approach and you’ll reflect on not only senior year, but all four years of high school. Trust me, I definitely did. I did my best to remember all the really great moments of high school, but I also remembered some of the not so great ones. They all helped shape me into the person I was at the end of high school, though, so how could I have regretted anything?

I’m sure you’ll wish things were different, or that you could’ve done more with your four years in high school, but that’s what college is for—more time to do more things, meet more people, become a better person.

So, to the high school senior approaching the end of senior year: don’t wish it away. Live in the moment, but look forward to the future. Remember what made your four years of high school memorable, but also think of how you can make the next four even better.