You’re in the final stretch. You’ve kept your head in the books, hurdled the midterms and conquered the finals of underclassmen’s past. The time is now to buckle down, get your head in the game and finish your senior year strong. Your college future awaits you, but only after your complete this final trial of academic wit.
Ensure that you have prioritization of responsibilities and know what you have to do. Beginning around your second semester of your senior year, you will begin to take notice of the changes in your school environment that you find yourself in. College acceptances will begin to be received by applicants, senior activities will be scheduled and let’s not forget about your high school prom. It’s important not to let yourself get sidetracked and forget about your responsibilities. Second semester grades are most important because they will be the first grades that colleges see. You will find yourself hard-pressed in explaining to your admission officer the reason why your grades slipped senior year. Colleges look for students that can handle all responsibilities and not let important tasks fall by the wayside due to the distractions of school activities.
It’s important to keep the ambition alive or else you may lose out on your chance to attend the college of your choice. There’s nothing wrong with getting excited about prom and graduation, but don’t let these events overshadow the most important aspects of your educational experience. It’s a mistake to shirk your responsibilities and watch yourself crash and burn, effectively ruining your chances at a brighter future. Everyone catches senioritis but what’s important is what you do when symptoms arrive, rather than using it as an excuse to slack off on important work. Don’t let senioritis take over your life. Should you notice a sudden loss of interest in school, be proactive in getting back on track as soon as possible. If you start to slack, stop. And don’t forget to give yourself rewards for finishing your homework or studying for a test. You’ll thank yourself later as it will make your college transition that much easier.
It’s also a good time to start thinking about how you want to spend your summer vacation. This is a time of self-realization, enrichment and improvement. Some examples are taking on a summer job or getting hired at an internship. Your college may have a summer activity that can get you involved early, before the academics begin. Something else often overlooked is getting organized early on supplies and belongings that you plan to bring with you for freshman year. You can do small things that will make the process more efficient when it comes time to make the big move. Clean up a bit of the clutter that has accumulated from classes coming to a close. It’s also just good habits to keep everything clean and organized.
As graduation approaches, you should begin your final duties for college preparation. Make sure you request a transcript of your grades from your high school and have it sent to your chosen college. Go over your financial aid package and make sure that you have covered all the bases regarding your monetary needs. If new needs have accrued then contact your financial aid office on your college campus. If you’re on a waitlist for your college, make sure you contact admissions and make your interest crystal clear and check for any possible changes in fall enrollment.
Most colleges require placement tests which are required to be scheduled before the semester begins, typically in the summer. This will ensure that you have the classes you signed up for when college classes commence. Enter the mindset that you are a college student in training. For most students, college is a much more academically challenging institution. As it should be because it is meant to challenge you and turn you into a formidable asset in the career field of your choice. You need to touch on and strengthen your skills in order to succeed in your upcoming classes. So if you use this final year of high school as a training ground, it will effectively prepare you for the transition to your upcoming college experience. Fine tune your writing, improve your time management and refine your methods of studying. Improve now and stay ahead of the game in the future.
Always keep in mind that grades still matter and always will until the day of your graduation. Don’t be fooled thinking you’re on easy street once you get that acceptance letter in the mail. Colleges still look at your final grades and if they notice any slacking, they’re not afraid to doubt your academic readiness. You could get academic probation, lose out on some of your financial aid package or even lose out on your acceptance altogether. So don’t give them a reason and stay strong throughout this final year! To read more informative and helpful articles, please take a moment to subscribe to our page to receive notifications for our weekly blog.