As we roll into the final 9 weeks of the school year, it’s time for juniors to schedule next year’s classes, start applying for colleges and scholarships, and mentally prepare for their very last year here at North Allegheny. If you’re anything like me and you’ve been at NA for your whole life, you’re just about ready to hit the road despite how much you love it here. As a second semester senior, I’ve learned a few things along the way.
First and foremost, there is literally no way I can express this enough, senioritis is a very VERY real thing. I know, from a junior’s perspective, it just looks like laziness and tiredness…now that’s only a little bit true. When I was a junior, I truly thought my senior year would just breeze on by and I would receive my diploma and be off to college in no time. I could not have possibly been more wrong. If anything, senior year has felt like the longest out of my 13 years at North Allegheny. You may feel tired, burnt out, and maybe even a little depressed. Senior year can both feel like it’s taking forever while still feeling like you’re missing everything.
Second of all, find your people. I can pretty much guarantee whether you’ve been here your whole life like me, or just transferred here last year, you’ve experienced numerous different friend groups. I know I have. It seriously didn’t take me until senior year when I found the people I know I’m going to want to stay in touch with after high school. I do still have a few friends from middle school that have lasted this long, but I also have friendships with people who I just got close with this year. Another thing, my new friends are just people that I always “knew of,” but never took the time to get to know. With that being said, there’s a good chance there’s someone in your life you “know of,” and this time next year they would be one of your best friends.
Sidenote: Try not to get involved with any drama. You’re going to be gone next year, who cares?
Anyways, next up, live in the moment. This year, you’re going to have a lot of “lasts.” Last first day of school, last homecoming, last football game, last school cafeteria lunch, etc. Try to really just be there and take in the moment. Wear a nice outfit on the first day, appreciate your teachers, cherish the last cheers you’ll hear in the student section during FNL season, all that stuff. Before you know it, you’ll realize your senior year is flying right by you.
Also, schedule relatively easy classes. For the most part, your senior year is supposed to be easy and fun. If you schedule all APs and Honors, you won’t be able to truly enjoy your last year at NA. Take classes that interest you, or electives that are in accordance with your major. On that note, make sure you keep track of your credits. Now, this isn’t necessarily recommended — but it is an option. I earned enough math credits in my freshman, sophomore, and junior years so I had the option to not take a math class. Will I regret that in college?..maybe. But am I stress-free and math-free right now? Yes!
Your senior year is a time where you truly figure out who your real friends are and where you feel a sense of belonging. Just think, this summer will be your last summer where you know you get to go back to the comfort of NASH. But next summer, you’re off to a whole different environment with brand new people. While it’s a good idea to keep your future in mind, don’t forget to enjoy the last year you have at NASH.
To sum up this entire article with a super awesome movie quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
(Don’t tell your math teachers Gracie Durzo encouraged you to not take a math class.)
