This doesn’t apply to just the end of the year, either. Being a senior isn’t as easy as stereotypes suggest. You can’t just slack off the entire year and expect the best, because the last year is the most important one.

 

Fees. It’s no surprise that for their final year in high school, seniors will try to do everything. Mostly because they didn’t get to do it in any of their last three years, or at least, not all at once.

 

Clubs, sports, yearbooks, and any fines you have won’t pay for themselves. Especially if you plan to be active on those clubs/sports. Your cap and gown aren’t free either. Even filling out a college application could range anywhere from $30-60. Senior year is expensive.

 

Have some money put away for this year. You don’t want to be broke before second semester and can’t reserve your yearbook or make the grad night payment.

 

Grades. Although it’s considered as the “final stretch,” slacking off during your senior year is not an option. Colleges pay the most attention to your upperclassman grades when considering to accept you. Don’t let Senioritis grab a hold of you until your GPA is immaculate.

 

U.S. Government is a mandatory class that all high schoolers must take and pass if they wish to graduate. It’s not something to take lightly. If you didn’t take Algebra in eighth grade, you’ll have to pass senior math too.

 

College is expensive, so any scholarships you can get to help with the tuition fee should be taken without question. Most of these scholarships require you to maintain a certain GPA, such as the Millennium scholarship.

 

Preparing For Your Future. Just the thought of college is stressful enough. Actually being just a few weeks away from it is scary. So much preparation has to be done before you walk down that graduation floor.

 

Study which colleges appeal to you. Harvard and Yale are IVY league, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the colleges for you. Do some research and find one that has the program you’re looking for. Take into account the cost and the majors available. Whatever you study in college is going to be what you’re doing for the rest of your life.

 

Keep in mind that local schools will cost significantly less than out of state universities. Don’t choose UCLA because you like California’s weather.

 

If you’re planning on moving out of your parents’ bathroom, have a steady source of income. Get a part time job long before you plan on renting an apartment so you have a sufficient amount of savings built up and have enough credit to lease a home.

 

Most important of all, make sure you’re on track to graduate. Check ParentLink every few days so you’re kept up to date on your grades. You don’t want family flying in to see you walk during your graduation just to tell them that you’re missing half of a credit and are receiving your diploma in the mail.