We have just about hit the halfway point in the 2024-2025 school year, and Masuk’s seniors are in the home stretch. They see the finish line, the light at the end of the tunnel, and I know many seniors, myself included, are simply trying to make it to graduation. As college decisions begin rolling in and your future starts panning out in front of you, waking up at 6 am to sit in the same building you’ve been sitting in for the last three years feels particularly arduous. But there is something to be said about making the most of your last few months because allegedly, we’re going to miss this. So without any further ado, here are six survival tips for the six months left of school to make the second half of senior year work for you.
- Plan Your Absences Strategically
Senior year is about balance. Once you know where you’re going after high school, Masuk fades into the background. You got what you worked for, you did it, so you could relax, right? Wrong. If you don’t attend class, your grades will slip and you risk losing credit. But, in reality… as long as you keep good track of your absences and maintain your grades, who are you really hurting by sleeping in and taking a day to yourself every once in a while? As long as you respect the balance, you can take some strategic time off. Just remember to save a day for senior skip!
- Avoid the Evil Eye
Unfortunately, admissions season brings out the worst in us. When it comes to something as high stakes as college, jealousy and anxiety can morph into toxicity, and drama might unfold. Everybody wants to know who did or didn’t get into where, and self-interest levels are at an all-time high. I would recommend keeping your good news to yourself or a small circle for a while. If someone asks you what your plans are and you don’t want to share, you can maintain an air of mystery and let them know that you’re keeping your options open. Or, you can always say you’re taking a gap year to backpack in the Himalayas.
- Be Okay With Being Late
Most seniors have cars or a friend to drive them to school, and most mornings, a coffee run sounds a little too good to pass up. When Dunkin calls at 7 a.m., I suggest that you answer it. As long as you’re not failing the class or have a test on the horizon, I think it’s important to put yourself first and treat yourself every once in a while. Walking into class late builds character, and it’s only practice for college!
- Find a Job
Most seniors have at least one early dismissal, or a few days of the week when they’re free from 2 pm onward. I suggest you use this time to find a job and start saving. Senior year is expensive, and you’re going to want money to take that end-of-year trip with your friends and buy presents for grad parties. Also, daily coffees get expensive, and having a job allows you to practice standing on your own. College is expensive though, so make sure to save a little money to take with you to school.
- Feel Free to Use the Senior Excuse Liberally
Don’t want to go out, empty the dishwasher, or pick up that extra shift? You’re a senior, and you’re obviously extremely busy applying to colleges and writing supplementals. It’s the perfect get-out-of-jail-free card. You look like a busy scholar, and you get to shirk some responsibilities to focus on your main priority, which, sometimes, can be a nap.
- Make a Summer Bucket List
It’s your sole responsibility to make your last summer before college the best one, so I recommend creating a bucket list to shape how you want to spend your time. While you should keep it realistic and not plan outside of your means, creating and completing a bucket list is a fun way to make memories and spend time with the ones you love. Making your summer list is a fun distraction from a dreary winter day, and is a fun activity to pass the time in a boring class.Every second of senior year won’t be a coming-of-age movie, and sometimes, all you can do is just survive the day. So as we trek closer and closer to graduation, remember to be easy on yourself. Take a nap, skip the last period (every once in a while), and most importantly, protect your peace.
Masuk Free Press 
Leave a comment