What I Wish I Knew in 12th Grade

True: you’ll only be a high school senior once. Also true: it’s a really fun and busy time in your life, and you deserve to enjoy these last few months with all of the hard work you’ve done. Just realize that it’s not the end all, be all in your life.

I remember how hectic and exciting senior year of high school was—so close to the end of one stage of your life and the beginning of the rest of it. As someone who has been there and done that pretty recently, here’s what I would recommend for a pretty smooth senior year:

• Actually start those applications in the summer. It will make your life a lot easier if you can just focus on applying to college when there’s no other work or stress in your life. It also cuts down on hurrying to finish things at the last minute and wondering if it will all process on time. Even just filling out your name, address, and Social Security number ahead of time helps.
• Don’t blow off the essay. You’d be surprised to know that, despite thousands of applicants, admissions counselors definitely still read the essays. Take your time writing them and make sure to express your own voice, not what you think they want to hear. Take advantage of the personal statement and show them who you really are, past the great scores and amazing grades.
• Take AP and IB courses. If you do well on the tests, you can usually earn credit and get out of courses you wouldn’t care to take in college. Yes, they’re more challenging, but you have no idea how well they prepare you for college coursework. (Keep in mind that a B in an AP or IB course is just as good, if not better, as an A in a regular class—why not go for it?)
• Do your research. Sit down and take inventory of what you really want in a college: small town or big city, public or private? North or south, east or west? Find a copy of the school’s bulletin (a list of courses offered) and see what interests you. Look into student groups and see what you might want to take part in. That will help you narrow your search and then you can concentrate on the schools you like rather than applying to every single one.
• Visit the colleges you like. You can read and research from home all day long, but you can’t really tell what life will be like there until you see it for yourself. Walk around, observe, and ask questions—you’ll never know what you’ll find out. (By the way, the visit was one factor that led me to choose Carolina.)
• Have fun, but realize that senioritis is a fleeting disease that’s only acceptable to a certain limit. It’s okay to get excited about the end of high school but know that you have a whole college career ahead of you. So cherish the times and enjoy what’s left of high school (because, no lies, it’s a really fun time in your life that you’ll never forget), just don’t slack off too much and lose the work ethic that you’ll need for college. It’ll pay off in the end.
• Be on top of things, but be patient. You’ve done your best; now realize that you’ll be fine. Don’t fret over the little things—it’s a crazy time for everyone and if you can remain composed despite the calamity, it’ll do wonders for your mental health.
• And the best thing you can do as a senior? Listen to yourself and do what you want to do. Don’t decide based on what your parents, relatives, friends, or other people tell you. Obviously, input from others helps, but you’re the one going to college, so shouldn’t you choose based on what you want?

Good luck with your last year… Enjoy it, have fun, work hard, and hopefully I’ll see you soon at Carolina!