So yet another year has flown by here at Tottenville High School and now you’re a senior. Your time here is almost at an end. Now what? Well, there’s plenty to be done and of course, you’re being sent off with the busiest year of your lives by far. With the workload ranging from schoolwork to sports and after-school activities to social events, not to mention the big one on our lists: college, things can get a little hectic. Fortunately, it can all be done. It just all comes down to how you manage it.

When dealing with the immense workload that comes along with being a senior, you need to have a plan. Firstly, establish a foothold on everything. Start by taking note of all the things that need to be done. Then, start to organize. Put to good use those (free) planners the school has given out. Keep a log on all things and balance your time so all schoolwork gets done in a timely fashion. Now on to college.

If you haven’t already gotten a jump on your college search, now’s a great time to start. Do things in order. First, get a list of all your colleges and all the information on them such as deadlines, tuitions, open houses, etc. Second, if you’ve never visited the college office, GO! The information that can be obtained just by a simple visit can be instrumental when dealing with all the ins and outs of college. Go ask your questions, write down your answers, and on your way out, don’t forget to pick up the sheets pertaining to financial aid and interviewing tips. Now keep all of your college paraphernalia in one place and keep it organized. Get anything else you may need such as recommendations but keep in mind that they can be sent to the schools later. Don’t let one item slow you down from starting the application process which is long and lengthy.

You’ve got all the ingredients and you’re ready to put it all together. You need to start the actual application process. A good place to start is to print out the actual applications of the school before you fill them out so you can review the whole lot. Another thing to keep in mind is the college essay. For those of you looking to get into good schools, be prepared to write! Try and get a list of the topics required for your schools so you can review them and start. Remember a good college essay takes planning and above all else, time and effort. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Another person’s insight can prove valuable and may improve your chances.

What do you do to keep from getting stressed out? It’s quite simple. As stated earlier, writing things down and completing them on time can really work wonders. This helps to keep the work pile from building into a vast mountain of assignments that may never get done. Don’t put things off; start them immediately if time permits. Procrastination can really hurt you. Also, keep in mind that even though it’s senior year, it still counts so don’t fall victim to “senior-itis.”

An important part in keeping your focus and your spirits up is to get out every chance you get on the weekends. Let’s face it. Even the most diligent person will crack if all he/she did was work. Allow yourself some lee-way when it comes to work. Everyone needs breaks and a chance to unwind every so often, so keep an active social life as well. This is essential to keeping a positive outlook. Don’t be afraid to get out there and do what you want. Remember this is senior year. You might never see some of the people you know now again so spend time with them as much as possible. Get active within the school and make it a year to remember! Your high school years are supposed to be some of the best in your life. You don’t get these four years back so don’t waste them!

The main thing is to realize it all can be done. As long as you keep on top of your work, remain focused, and have a positive attitude, you’ll be fine. As long as you allow yourself to take breaks and unwind every week, this year will sail by just like all the others. Congrats, you’ve just taken the first steps on the road to becoming a successful high school graduate!