Senior year of high school is an exciting time full of possibilities! There is a lot to think about in terms of classes, careers, and colleges. It’s an important time to make memories, have fun, and reflect on your plans for your future.

In this article, we will discuss 10 pieces of advice for high school seniors (12th graders). Start your senior year feeling prepared! Know what to expect as you move forward during this pivotal year.

1. Spend time with family and friends

Senior year is an important time to make memories and spend time with the people (and pets!) you love. Regardless of whether or not you decide to go to college, or move away from your hometown, senior year is a big transition. Rely on your loved ones for support as you navigate your senior year. Family members will likely have valuable senior year advice for you as well. Focus on spending quality time with your loved ones, strengthening your relationships, and sharing memories.

2. Start college applications early

College applications can be stressful. They require a lot of research and reflection – on top of preparing the actual application materials. Some helpful senior year advice: Start your college applications early! Especially your college essay. Brainstorm topics, write several drafts, and seek out feedback from peers, parents, and teachers. This will allow you to take your time to edit your applications materials, prioritize, and limit stress. Be sure to ask for your letters of recommendation early as well. This is an important senior year tip! Teachers can get overwhelmed by the number of requests they receive, so make sure you give them plenty of time to plan ahead.

3. AP classes look good on college applications and can help you save money

AP classes look impressive on your college application. They show that you are capable of completing advanced coursework and are ready for college-level material. If you are applying to highly-selective schools, AP classes give your application a competitive edge. Additionally, if you score well on your AP exams, you will likely receive college credit (check with your individual college for specifics). College credits are expensive, so this will help you save a lot of money in the long-run!

4. Take interesting classes

Take interesting electives. High school is a time to explore, so take this time to try something new! Take a pottery class. Or a robotics class. Chinese. Dance. Painting. You might discover something you really enjoy. You might also choose to take more classes with teachers you already know and love.

5. Learn to balance your social life and academics

While you should enjoy your senior year, spend time with friends, meet new people, and attend events, it’s also important not to slack off. “Senioritis” can feel very real. One of the most important tips for high school seniors is to avoid procrastination and maintain their academic standards. Senior year should be fun, but it’s also an important transition point. Whether you are attending college or entering the workforce, it’s important to feel motivated and prepared for your next step. Learning to balance your social life and academics is key to success, both in and outside of high school.

6. A college rejection letter isn’t the end of the world

Receiving a college acceptance letter is exciting and validating! You should celebrate each and every one. You worked hard and it’s nice to see that hard work recognized. A college rejection letter, however, shouldn’t feel like the end of the world. Colleges can be highly-selective, and not getting accepted into a program doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t qualified; it just means that there is a very large applicant pool. There is a lot of pressure put on you during your senior year and there are lots of tips for high school seniors. Mostly though, it’s important to remember that graduating high school and applying for college is hard work! So try to be gentle with yourself.

7. Talk to your guidance counselor, teachers, and coaches

Ask adults you trust and admire about advice for seniors in high school. What worked for them? Do they wish they had done anything differently? Are they happy with their career? Did they go to college? Senior year is an exciting time with endless possibilities. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Take time to reflect on what’s important to you and what you think you might want to do in the long run. It’s okay if you don’t know! Take a year off to work, travel, or volunteer, and keep in mind that many college students change their majors. You don’t need to know all the answers. It’s good and healthy to periodically change your mind. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to ask your guidance counselor, teachers, or coaches about advice for senior year of high school.

8. Tour colleges

If you have the opportunity to tour a college, take it! You can learn a lot about a college by researching it online, but sometimes seeing it in person can help you make the final call of where you can see yourself being the happiest and most comfortable during college. Tour as many colleges as you can, so you can make your final decision feeling as confident as possible. 

9. Sit in on college classes and job shadow

Not everyone knows what they want to do after college, and many students who think they do, end up changing their minds. Some good advice for seniors in high school is to consider sitting in on some college classes and seeking out job shadowing opportunities. There are countless career paths available, so take some time to research and explore your options. Attend a job fair. Take a career test. Talk to professionals and get a glimpse of what a typical day might look like for you in your prospective field.

10. Try new things

Step out of your comfort zone! Graduate high school without any regrets. Is there a club you’ve always wanted to join? Someone you always wanted to be friends with? A class you’ve been interested in taking? Take a moment to think about whether there is anything you’ve wanted to try, but haven’t had the time, or the nerve, for. High school is a great time to try new things, so challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone!

Key Takeaways

Work hard your senior year and have fun! Take time to reflect on possibilities for your future and seek out additional resources to make smart, post-high school decisions. Ask your peers and trusted adults in your life about your goals and anxieties. If you feel like you could benefit from professional, individualized attention, reach out to learn about our college counseling and guidance services.

Ever since Covid-19 struck, our world has been upside down. After two years of all the college campuses being closed, they are finally making their comeback. Slowly, but surely, college campuses are going to allow outsider visitors. 

It is important to make your rounds to visit each college that you are looking to attend. This is an important part of your college admissions application process because you may not end up liking the college atmosphere, campus, or campus culture. You may even end up liking a different college campus more than you were originally anticipating, so it’s important to visit these campuses before applying or accepting an offer letter.

We’re going to run you through a list of colleges and their guidelines for reopening on-site visitation. Keep in mind that not all colleges are reopening for visits, so be sure to read the list closely.

Colleges Reopening for On-Campus Visits

The list you are about to read is in alphabetical order and also doesn’t list all of the colleges that are reopening. If you don’t see your desired college on this list, feel free to conduct your own research and look up if the college of your choice is hosting on-site visits again.

How to Make the Most Out of On-Campus Visits​

The next thing to consider once you find out which colleges are open for visitation is how to make the most out of your trip. It’s important that all of your questions are answered throughout your tour. Let’s run through a few notes to remember while you are visiting colleges.

Come Prepared

It would be a shame for you to be distracted from the college tour because you are hungry or thirsty. It’s important to give the college tour your undivided attention. Before you go on your trip, plan out everything that you need to bring on the tour rather than packing everything at the last second. Remember that you will also be walking a fair amount, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Bring your water bottle, snacks, and a notebook so you can write notes about the campus. A way to determine your preferred college would be to write down the pros and cons of each campus and review them at the end of your college tours.

Have Your Questions Ready

Another thing to have prepared before your college tour is all of the questions you need to have answered to ensure this college is the one for you. Learn more about the college you want to attend, the location of certain study rooms/classes, how the campus lifestyle is, and how it can support you. 

Follow Safety Protocols

Reminder that colleges are slowly reopening due to covid-19 restrictions. Many colleges have their own safety guidelines in place, including submitting a negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination, and/or completing a health screening. Make sure you adhere to these guidelines so that you can safely enjoy the campus and make the most of your touring experience. Happy touring!

Check out our College Campus Tour Checklist

What If Your College Isn’t Open For On-Campus Visits

There’s no need to worry if your dream college isn’t open for on-site campuses. There are alternative solutions out there for you. Even since the pandemic, having to readjust and adapt to new solutions virtually for new college students isn’t a new thing. Let’s go over some alternative solutions for you.  

Sign-Up For Virtual Information Session

One of the first options that you can endure is to sign up for a virtual information session. Typically this is led by an admissions officer or the Dean of Admissions. The exact topics that are covered are essay writing, the admissions process, financial aid, extracurricular activities, and the campus lifestyle. There will also be a time for you to present any additional questions you might have. This is the perfect opportunity to read the list of questions you have already prepared if they were not already answered.  

Do Your Own Research

If you are unsure of alternative solutions in finding the answers to your questions, do your own research. Each college should have a fairly up-to-date website as well as a social media platform. Make sure to pay close attention to all those different mediums and find out everything you need to know. There are also phone numbers accessible to potential college students which means you’ll be able to talk to the administration office. They should have the answers to your questions. 

Sign-Up For Virtual Tours

Lastly, since the pandemic, virtual tours have been the new wave of visiting your potential college. They’ll give you the option to schedule a virtual tour which oftentimes is student-led. Most virtual tours can take up to an hour to provide you with a true walkthrough of the campus and its buildings. If the tour is live, the same rules apply as above, stay prepared. If there are certain questions that you are looking to find answers to, ask them. Happy college touring!   

Key Takeaways For College Tours

If you are planning on attending on-campus or virtual tours, make sure to ensure a campus visit is scheduled. This is a vital part of the college admissions process. This determines where you end up living for the next few years of your life. Ensure it is the right decision for you.

Virtual visits