Senior year of High School is a tricky one. It’s full of ups in downs not only in your personal life but also, academically. You are expected to do everything right with no room for errors and needless to say, slacking. It all can get a little overwhelming and we get it which is why we’re here to help. Here’s a guide that will help you have fun while also scoring a place in your dream college.
1. Work on your grades
This one’s a no brainer. You must have a good CGPA to end up at a good university. Work as hard as you can during your senior year. This must be challenging as you have so much on your plate which is why you need to learn how to prioritize.
Prioritizing is the name of the game. It is imperative that you prioritize your commitments on a daily basis so that you can spend the much needed or rather required time on your homework. With that said invest in a good planner or if you’re really tight on cash, just print a good one from Pinterest. This will allow you to be mindful of your time. You must jot all your tasks each day so that you get a perspective and a sense of direction. Further, when you’ll know how much you have to do on the following day, you will not dwell aimlessly on just one task. Make sure you list down all of your activities on the planner for a better understanding of your day.
Moreover, it is important that you take legible notes in class and go through them every day before going to bed. Not only will it make the concepts you learned easier to understand but will stay nice and fresh in your mind, keeping you from cramping before the midterms and even finals. In addition to that, you can also form a study group with your classmates to share your notes and complement each other when any of you gets stuck in a course. It’ll be a great way to socialize and study at the same time.
2. Explore yourself
Senior year is a great time to sit back and really analyze you. It is important to be aware of your own shortcomings and virtues. Explore what you enjoy and what you don’t. This is a great way to work on your flaws and accentuate your talent to get a further edge over others.
This year is a great one to get out of your comfort zone. Try to get more involved with the events that take place on campus. Not only that, you should also socialize with your peers because a year or so down the line they’ll be on the other side of the country than you. It is a perfect time to make new acquaintances and learn more about them. This way, you can not only end up with new friends but this experience will help you widen your horizons towards not only college but also your personal life.
3. Work on that college essay
Alongside, having good grades and SAT scores, a student must also have a tremendous essay to have an attractive application. Most students have more or less identical applications with perfect As and the same advanced courses and extra-curricular activities. With that said, you must try and stand out from the other students around you. Yes, you must have good grades and SAT scores under your belt but that wouldn’t mean that your essay is irrelevant or secondary. College application essays are a mirror to the personality of the candidate. Good colleges need smart kids, sure, but that’s not it. They’re not looking for studious kids with boring personalities. They require students who are articulate and have a life outside of school and sports.
College essays are an imperative part of the application which is why you must spend significant time writing it. Start with what you wish to reflect on. Try to bring out most of your personality in it. It all can be a little daunting which is why you must seek help from your career guidance counselor, your older siblings, alumni of the college you want to end up at, and the internet. You might as well find some online assistance such as paperhelp to make sure you are on the right track with your essay.
4. Visit the college
We all have our futures planned out for us when we’re in high school. We believe that we’ll end up at our dream college, get amazing grades and end up at a job we always desired with a decent paycheck. Well, reality check – life is not as linear and so doesn’t necessarily turn out the way we think it will. As a senior in school, you must not fixate on only one college; have a list of colleges under your belt. With that said, it is important that you research about them not only on the internet but also by visiting them.
Arrange road trips over the weekend to visit colleges you like with your parents or even your friends. This will help you see, first hand, how the vibe at these colleges is like and if it is something you prefer or not. It will not only be a great opportunity to learn more about the college but will also be a great opportunity to have a fun time with your friends and family!
5. Believe yourself
Lastly, but most importantly believe in yourself. If you believe you can end up at a tremendous college, trust me you’re halfway there! It is important to have an optimistic outlook on the future.
