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A Guide to Senior Year

Posted 05/12/2025 by Leila Olbricht-Simon

Senior Class of 2025 at a Friday Night Football game. photo by Briana Rimkus

As the current Juniors prepare for their final year of high school, here is some advice from a senior to ensure the most fulfilling year possible. 

To the class of 2026, 

While summer may still seem like an eternity away, we are quickly approaching the end of this school year. As a current senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, I’m feeling very bittersweet about graduating so soon. It’s as if I simply blinked and suddenly I’m in the final stretch of my high school journey. The past four years have definitely had their highs and lows: figuring out who I am, overcoming stressful situations, and making everlasting memories. At the beginning of my senior year, I remember feeling a mix of emotions. Being in my final year of high school was exciting and having the title of senior was rewarding, but the fourth year also felt overwhelming when thinking about what comes after graduation. Reflecting on the past school year, I can say with confidence that the final year of high school was an incredible experience, and, to all the incoming seniors, look forward to the future. To ensure senior year is the best time possible, here is some advice. 

 Regarding academics, staying on top of schoolwork is extremely important, especially early on. As the year goes on and senioritis inevitably starts to kick in (even more so during the second semester), it will get harder and harder to stay focused and motivated. Trust me, this is not an abnormal feeling. As assignments pile and deadlines sneak up, procrastination is tempting and pushing schoolwork off feels like a good decision. However, staying organized and keeping up with your work will prevent unnecessary anxiety later on. Figuring out a plan that works with your own needs is also helpful, such as creating a study routine, using a planner, or simply communicating with teachers. Each small habit can make a huge difference in academic success. While it is completely okay to step back at times and enjoy the fun of senior year, maintaining a healthy balance between school and everything else is crucial. When the end of each semester creeps up, you will be thanking yourself for not procrastinating and not needing to scramble to catch up as a result. 

One of the biggest stressors of my senior year was the daunting reality of college. While college had been in the back of my mind for many years, when senior year rolled around, I found myself with no idea on what the next steps were. I advise all incoming seniors who are interested in college to begin by simply creating a list of colleges that are intriguing to them. There are numerous resources on the internet that can help with this, as well as match colleges to individuals’ specific interests and wants. I also found it incredibly relieving to complete early applications for all of the schools I applied to. After working hard for the first few months of senior year, I had completed all my applications and just needed to wait to hear back from the schools. With early applications, I heard back from most of my schools before February which allowed me ample time to make my final decision and commit. Also, I highly recommend utilizing resources around TJ, such as going to the Future Center. The counselors answered all of my questions, guiding me and making the whole college application process easier. It might feel easy to get overwhelmed, but try to find the fun and enjoy this new experience. 

Finally, participate, participate, participate! Senior year has genuinely been one of the fastest, most unforgettable years of my life, and I am so grateful I decided to put myself out there and be a part of so many events. Get up early and watch the sunrise with your senior class, sleep under the stars during the senior sleepout, and face your stage fright by dancing at the pep rally as a sizzling senior, because every event is so worth it. Sharing these final high school experiences with your classmates is very special and the memories made will be cherished forever. There are so many more events to look forward to, including senior ditch day, prom, senior sports nights, painting parking spots, and making senior overalls. Every single tradition has brought so much joy to this final chapter. I’ve made so many memories this year that I’ll hold onto forever. If there is one piece of advice to remember, get involved and live in the moment, you won’t regret it!