Preparing for senior year of high school

Preparing for senior year of high school is an exciting time but can also be overwhelming. This is it, our last year before venturing out into the real world! Senior year is filled with to-do lists and fun from SATs to prom. Being prepared can help decrease the anxiety and maximize enjoyment as we begin our last year of high school. 

There are many things to do to prepare for senior year. Some of the more exciting things to prepare for and look forward to include senior yearbook photos, prom, senior breakfast, senior tailgate, senior sunrise, senior field day, senior walkout and, of course, graduation. 

A favorite tradition West Orange High School seniors get to partake in is painting their parking spot. Seniors can express their individual creativity that gets to be admired all year long. Another fun West Orange tradition is senior flip day, where seniors can switch places for the day with one of their favorite teachers, coaches or even the principal. 

I am most looking forward to prom, getting dressed up and having a great time with friends. 

If you are planning on going to college, there are many things to do your senior year to prepare. One of the most important things is deciding which college to go to. Once you have done some research online, it can be a fun experience to visit your top choices in person and get a tour. 

Several of my friends and I are planning to start out at a community college. It is a great way to save money and ease into college life, especially if you don’t have a specific major in mind.  Technical school also is another great option to look into during your senior year. Orange Technical College offers programs in many areas, including art, business, construction, health science and information technology. 

Most colleges require minimum GPA and SAT or ACT scores. To prepare for the SAT and ACT, there are many websites and apps you can use to study. One I recommend is Khan Academy. There will be free SAT testing days for seniors. At West Orange, the free SAT testing day is Oct. 11. 

One thing I did to prepare for my senior year — which I recommend to every high school senior — was meet with my guidance counselor. Counselors are a great resource and are there to help you. 

When I met with my counselor, we discussed goals and made sure my class selections met requirements for graduation. We also made sure I was on track to meet my future goal for college acceptance and the Bright Futures Scholarship. School counselors can help you with finding other scholarships for which you may qualify, and they can also assist with applications and essays needed for college and scholarship applications. 

One thing I did to prepare over the summer was complete volunteer hours necessary for Bright Futures.

I know senior year is going to be a busy one with all there is to do, both things that are fun and those that are necessary to succeed. However, I am looking forward to doing all of these things and creating lasting memories with my friends before we enter the next chapter of our lives. Here’s to a great senior year, Class of 2024!