Senior year is the biggest year of your mandatory schooling. You've spent 12-14 years in the school systems preparing to be let out on your own into the real world and create a life for yourself. This is the last year at home with your parents and the last year before the rest of your life. Senior year is fun, exciting, scary, and a wild ride. This last year of high school flies by and theres so many things I wish I had known before hand.

1. It's never too early to apply

Lots of colleges open up their college applications in late August, making it easy to apply before school even starts. Applying early is so helpful because then you aren't trying to cram applications between homework assignments and you have the whole day to do them, and trust me, it's worth it to put the effort into applications.

2. Over-apply

I can't stress this enough. Over applying to colleges is such a good idea for so many reasons. When I began applying to colleges I only applied to one or two at first and then I freaked out and applied to a bunch more. I didn't have anything to lose so I figured why not. I also took advantage of free college application week that my state, and some others states do. This is where you can apply to public and private schools for free which helped me expand my range of schools to choose from. My one rejection letter was from my dream school and I was crushed, and I ended up going to one of the schools I wasn't too sure of at first!

3. Apply for scholarships

Applying for scholarships is worth the time. There are many websites in which you can select from a range of scholarships fit to your qualifications. Websites like Fastweb and Cappex were life savers. It's so worth it to apply because you never know what you could receive. Who knows, you could even get a full ride. ;)

4. Find something you love

This is your last year before you're let loose into the real world so it's a good time to find a hobby or subject of interest to take up your spare time. Whether its collecting vinyl, researching music, playing an instrument, going to yoga, painting, or reading it is so great to have a way to release some stress and enjoy yourself while doing it.

5. Make the most of senior project

Senior project is an amazing opportunity to do something you've never tried before. Don't pick a project because it's easy and you can slack off and get credit for hours you never did. Actually do all the hours of something new and exciting. For my senior project I did acrobatics and I never regretted it for a second. It was so exciting to try something new and learn a new skill. Even if you don't do something like that you should at least do something to help you in finding a good career path to follow!

6. Mental health days are okay

Mental health days are always needed, especially during senior year. When you're trying to plan the rest of your life you get stressed, it happens. Don't feel guilty about spending a day sleeping in, watching netflix, and treating yourself.

7. You can always change your major

Picking a major on your college applications is stressful. What if you change your mind? What if you hate it? What if you're bad at it? These thoughts will run through your head but you can ALWAYS change your major. College counselors will help you with this and it won't be the end of the world if you decide to switch it up.

8. Senioritis is okay

Senioritis is real and it will happen to every senior. It is totally acceptable. Missing an assignment isn't the end of the world and procrastinating won't kill you this year. Just relax!

9. It's the year to be yourself

If you haven't been yourself or acted a certain way to impress those around you this is the year to stop. I swear, my senior year I made friends with so many people I would've never made friends with because they were being themselves and I was too. It's easy to live through high school putting on a bit of a show but once everyone stops life gets so much more enjoyable.

10. Spend time with your friends

Your friends have got you through high school this far and this is the year you'll probably become closest with them. Going out with your friends and making memories will be something you won't regret.

11. ....but also spend time with your family

Your family has been supporting you since day 1 so it's important to spend just as much, if not more, time with them than your friends. Don't neglect your at home responsibilities just because you're stressing over senior year.

12. Make the most of your family

Making the most of all the little things your family does for you is so important. Cherish those moments when your mom brings you iced coffee in the morning before you drive to school because she won't be able to do that when you're hours away in your college dorm.

13. Consult with counselors

Counselors are there to help you so take advantage of it. It is literally their job to help you with any questions you have. If you build a good relationship with them they may even write you a letter of recommendation which can come in handy for applications.

14. Get real with the cost

Get real with the cost of college. Don't apply to 5 out of state schools and no in state schools when you and your family can't afford that. Make sure to account for tuition, room and board, meal plans and books when planning your college budget. Applying to super expensive schools that are out of the question cost wise is not a good idea. It never goes well when you don't have a realistic option.

15. Save money

If you have an after school and weekend job save your paychecks!! Don't blow them all the day after you get them. You'll thank yourself when you're buying room decor and wanting to spend money in college.

16. Don't be afraid to let loose

Letting loose and showing sides of you you have never shown is a fun thing to do during your senior year. If you've always kept to yourself and want to go wild and extroverted now is the time. You literally have nothing to lose. Go to parties, scream in the student section, volunteer at pep rallies. These things will make great memories.

17. Nostalgia is okay

Towards the end of senior year you will get super nostalgic and that is totally okay. No one will make fun of you and yes, it is okay to cry at baby pictures.

18. Mistakes are okay

Making mistakes during your senior year is inevitable, but it won't be the end of the world. Who cares if you mess up? Get up and get on with it, it will be okay. Just learn from your mistakes.

19. Don't get cocky

Yes, you are now part of the oldest group of kids in the school. No, you don't have to be cocky about it. Don't be mean to freshman just because you're the oldest, you were that young once too. Also, you don't know everything just because you're a senior.

20. Take college classes

If you are fortunate enough to have your school offer dual enrollment or college classes, take advantage of it. College classes are expensive and it's nice if you can get a head start on your major because most of the time these credits will transfer. Also, it's a good way to get a sneak peek of the work load you will have in college.

21. Don't reject friendship

It's your final year, making new friends will never be a bad thing. You literally have nothing to lose, and who knows, you might find your new roommate.

22. Be adventurous

This is the top piece of advice I can give to upcoming seniors. Be adventurous. You will never remember the nights you got plenty of sleep. Go out with your friends and do something unexpected and exciting. If it goes wrong, at least you have a good story to tell.

23. Don't pick a school because someone wants you to

Never ever ever pick a school based on where your friends are going. And DEFINITELY don't pick a school based on your boyfriend or girlfriend. These relationships could be temporary and college changes everyone. Following the crowd is not the point of going to college. The point is to go out and find the world on your own and get an amazing education. Also, try not to pick a school just because your parents want you to go there. If you hate it and they love it, make sure to tell them honestly and hopefully they'll understand. After all, it is your life, not theirs.

24. 5 year plan

Make a 5 year plan of where you want to be after you graduate college. Planning out your life like this will give you a nice guideline so you aren't super stressed about the what if's of the next few years.

25. Don't say no

If you're friends want to go out and do something and you're simply too tired, don't say no. Don't go home and sleep, go out with your friends. You never know what kind of memory you'll make. If your mom asks you to go for breakfast with her on a Saturday morning, don't say no just because you want to sleep in. You'll wish you could go for Saturday morning breakfast with her when you are miles away from home.

26. Do what makes you happy

Seriously, just do whatever the hell makes you happy. It's your final year of high school and theres no time to be sad. No matter what it is, don't let anyone judge you for it, just go out there and do you.

27. Go out with a bang

Seriously, you won't regret it.