Even though it feels like the first day of Grade 9 was only yesterday, many of us are already venturing into and—most likely—dreading our final year of high school. We understand how stressful and frustrating navigating being a senior may be, so if you’re a current or rising senior, listen up! Here are our top tips and tricks for you to still make the most of your last year, amidst all the chaos.

1. Manage your time wisely!

Time management might just be the most essential factor to a good final year! The biggest regret of many students is that they bit off far more than they can chew, especially during their first semester. Don’t make the same mistake!

It is almost inevitable to be overwhelmed by all of the tasks ahead of you throughout the year, but a balanced schedule lets us set ourselves up for success.

Talk to your advisor and counsellor about your courseload, and if necessary, move some things around if you think it would be more accommodating that way. For example, some seniors schedule a study block during their first semester, which helps free up more time throughout the day for them to finish up schoolwork and work on university applications!

It is vital to create a balanced schedule for yourself that ensures both productivity and rest, so that you are not heading straight to burnout during the year. This schedule may look different for everyone, so look inward and outward, determine the things most important to you, and base your calendar on that list.

Keep in mind that your health, both physical and mental, should always come first, and nothing is possibly worth putting that in jeopardy. Make your schedule work for you, not the other way around!

2. Look after your grades and extracurriculars

Be sure to prioritise your grades — they do matter! With college application deadlines right around the corner, maintaining a good and desirable GPA can significantly increase the quality of your application and student profile.

That being said, of course, academics are not everything. Many other factors go into play during the admissions process, and your transcript may not singlehandedly get your foot in the door, especially with highly competitive and selective schools and programmes.

Take some time to develop your list of activities and accomplishments outside of school! It is best to start this process in the earlier years of high school, especially during Grades 10 and 11. If you are unsure how to do this, you can never go wrong with checking out the clubs at your school! At the beginning of high school, try signing up for all the clubs that interest you, and as you move onto your sophomore and junior years, begin to narrow down the ones you’re most passionate about, and can demonstrate impact in. Some common examples are sports, speech and debate (including Model UN), and creative or performing arts, but if you don’t find one that aligns with you, feel free to start your own! That may show even more leadership and initiative. Try also speaking to teachers about your interests, and signing up for whatever volunteering opportunities are accessible and appealing to you. Start small and slowly figure out what you like doing and/or are good at, and elevate those activities for your application.

3. Start applications early

According to research from CollegeData, almost 60 percent of high school students said that applying to college was the most stressful thing about senior year. This is totally understandable and basically unavoidable. The only thing we can do that takes some of the weight off of our shoulders is by starting early. Please do not push applications to the very last minute to finish them! Your future self will thank you hugely if you decide to take the load off their shoulders and begin drafting your application a few weeks, or even months, prior. The first draft may not look the best, but you can always go over it and make as many improvements as you want until the deadline. Remember, the scariest part is starting. Once you’ve made that jump, you are more than capable of taking on the rest!

4. Establish or expand your network

Throughout high school, establishing a strong network of friends, peers, and mentors, is highly valuable and serves you tremendously in the long run.

If you haven’t done much of this before Grade 12, it’s never too late to start! You may think it is as all seniors seem to already have their own established circles, but trust me, most people are always open to expand their personal network, and it’s always refreshing to form new friendships before leaving the school.

So, as the semester starts, you can still socialise with classmates around you that you are unfamiliar with and make new friends within your graduation class. You may easily find like-minded classmates aiming for the same universities or programmes and can confide in and share about your progress!

It is highly useful to build strong connections with your teachers as well. Don’t be intimidated by them! They are people too, and generally love to chat with their students. They can offer so much life experience, wisdom, and advice, broadening your worldview and providing you with more perspective. You can do this by arriving early or staying behind in classes, staying engaged and actively participating during them, and offering assistance to teachers wherever you can.

What’s more, strengthening the relationships with your teachers and counsellors comes in handy when you need references to apply to universities, and even volunteer positions and jobs!

5. Have fun!

Grade 12 may often be seen as the most stressful, chaotic, and unpredictable year of high school (or school in general), but remember that it’s also your last! Embrace the nerves and chaos of it all as you reach the end of your high school journey. Enjoy yourself as much as you can at the fun graduation activities your school plans, and be proud of yourself for making it this far!

To all the seniors out there, hang on there, we got this!