Pranav Suresh

Senior and National Merit Semi-Finalist Kushal Maridu often struggles balancing college applications, extra-curriculars, classwork, and socializing.

As high school seniors reach the point in life where post-secondary education is all that’s on their minds, the often forgotten part is that they’re still in highschool. Many say highschool is the best 4 years of one’s life, and whether that be true or not, it is undeniably a unique, once in a lifetime experience for all.

With college applications, hallways are bustling about letters of recommendation, extra-curriculars, and essay writing. While seniors are physically present in the hallways, they are mentally on their own personal journey, figuring out their future pathways.

The part about senior year that nobody wants to talk about but all understand is that a year from now everybody will be going their separate ways, into a life where most of their friends are just a part of their past. To fight this, there has been a silent phenomenon in the social rings of the senior class.

Students are going out more, accepting more opportunities, and they are often bonding with people who they weren’t close  during the preceding three years of high school, two years of junior high and seven years of elementary school.

Before, there was not a lot in common between these kids, but now there is something: they are all seniors just trying to get the most out of their last year in high school. 

Senior Riley Asselin is a busy athlete and honor roll student who is currently going through the college application process. “I am definitely trying to do more because I am trying to enjoy and make the most out of my last year of highschool.” Asselin believes it is possible to be both more outgoing as well as more focused. “I balance it by trying to work on my applications progressively and get the easiest, more simple stuff out of the way first before moving onto the more time consuming stuff,” Asselin explains.

“It’s a day to day process and balancing it with trying to enjoy senior year can be hard. However, planning everything out is important so you still have time to do both,” Asselin concludes.

As seniors, there is this cloud of uncertainty and anxiety, and there is comfort in knowing that everybody, whether they realize it or not, feels the same. 

The future is uncertain, no matter how much or how little one anticipates it. With proper support from CCR, counselors, the school, and parents, those Friday nights or spontaneous plans that one might have skipped in order to focus on school, would instead be a night out, making memories that will last forever.

PVHS Counselor Ellie Thomas thinks finding that balance is essential. “Time management and a strategic plan for postsecondary applications can help reduce stress during a busy year. My advice to students is to know your student footprint (GPA, test scores, work ethic etc.) and use this information to research and apply to a mix of schools- safety, reach, and stretch.”

It’s all about balance, planning and finding what works best for each student.

“Having this solid plan and using your CCR time wisely will reduce the application stress and allow for more time for homework, work, activities, and self-care after school hours,” Thomas concluded.

The future is bright, but anxiety builds during the fleeting months as a high schooler. It is good to see seniors use their peers to escape from the stressful college application process.

The seniors are starting to focus, looking towards the future with college applications, but never forgetting to appreciate the gift that is the present.