As each school year draws to a close, seniors look forward to college as juniors begin planning for their senior year. Whether it’s college applications or classes, it can all be very overwhelming and stressful, especially without guidance.

As a senior myself, I know firsthand how challenging this year can be. To alleviate some of this stress, the seniors have shared some of their tips and tricks for conquering the last year of high school. 

One of the biggest tasks of senior year is applying to college. A seemingly endless process, it can be exhausting. However, there are ways to make it less so. 

For example, starting early. While most applications open up in the fall, the summer is a great time to build your college list and start working on your main Common Application essay, a 650-word essay about any topic that is submitted to many colleges.

This was a resounding piece of advice from the seniors. “Get them done sooner than later. And be as honest as you can, with both the admissions offices and yourself, because the most important thing is finding the best school for you,” said senior Victoria Saucedo.

While almost every school requires the Common Application essay, some schools will also require supplemental essays. These are typically shorter and relate to the college in some way. 

It can sometimes be tough to answer these prompts, as they vary in specificity. Senior Kendall Warner shared, “Do not write about what you think they want to hear, write about you and it will end up being the best essay you could possibly write.”

Alongside college applications, it’s also important to stay involved in the Xavier community. Seniors suggested taking advantage of every opportunity you come across, whether it be academic or social.

 And while it may seem like you’re the only one who’s stressed or juggling multiple things, I promise you’re not. “Take it easy. Not everyone knows what they are doing either. Many times some are just better at faking it,” said senior Joey Hernandez-Mena.

It’s also important to stay motivated. Senioritis will hit you, or maybe it already has. But procrastination just makes things more difficult and you want to make sure you graduate.

The class of 2021 is also the only class, so far, to have experienced its entire senior year within a global pandemic. We completely understand how much that can change the experience and hope that things will be better come next school year. 

No matter what, stay positive. Senior Jaden Campbell said, “The pandemic may seem like it’s all there is right now, but there is more to senior year than the pandemic. There is extra time to spend with family and build stronger relationships. It’s a challenge, but it’s not impossible.”

Senior year is truly what you make of it. It’s your last year of high school, and time will fly by faster than you think. 

“Senior year is all about balance. Although it can be a stressful and challenging year, it is also important to make the most of the time you have left. Experiment with your interests, get to know new people, and most of all, make lasting memories with your friends!” says senior Anna Rose Saba.