Hey rising senior,

It’s almost time for you to tackle the infamous, mythical beast: senior year. All your hard work has led to this moment. You are finally the big-dog on campus, and it’s your turn to shine. Just remember —  what you get out of this year is what you put into it, so make careful choices.

First, it is vital that you avoid comparison as much as possible. The green-eyed monster will come for you as you see your peers’ perfect GPAs and ACT scores, but standardized tests are not everything. It might sound stereotypical, but you are more than numbers on a page.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. Organization will help you stay on top of deadlines, so get a planner or a calendar and write everything down. Planning your time out will make things so much easier on you in the long run and help to eliminate stress. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to start your CommonApp. However, if you do end up procrastinating (trust me, we’ve all been there), use your class time wisely. When you have free time at school, e.g. study hall, capitalize on it. Splitting your workload into bite-sized chunks makes everything more manageable.

If college is the right path for you, apply for scholarships — even ones that are small or you think you don’t have a shot at. Anything can happen, so take risks. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things, whether it be joining a new club or trying out for a sports team. Now is the time. 

Senioritis is shockingly real, and it will come at you when you least expect it, but every time you feel like putting off an assignment, remember: you’ve made it this far, only a few more left until you are in the clear. Mental and physical health are just as important as your academics, so do things you enjoy. Go see a movie with friends or cheer on the Spartans at a football game. 

You are not in this alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Your counselors, teachers and friends all want to help you and see you succeed. If you are struggling, ask for help; you never receive any until you do.

Stay true to yourself. You matter. Your decisions matter, so involve yourself in things you actually want to do, not just things that you think will look good on a college application. Clubs can help you find your true passions and discover what you love to do, so choose carefully. Be scrupulous. You’ve earned it.

Last but not least, be present. High school is simultaneously the longest and shortest four years of your life, so make the most of them. There are no do-overs. Congratulations, rising senior, you’ve (almost) made it!