As graduation approaches, many seniors are beginning to focus on the next chapter of their lives. From selecting classes and extracurricular activities to gaining experience in future career fields, students have spent years preparing for life after high school.
Now, with many seniors having decided on their future plans, attention has shifted toward how they are preparing for the opportunities ahead.
Pleasant Valley senior Asmita Bag said she plans to spend the summer applying for scholarships and building habits that will help her transition into college life.
“This summer, I’m trying to apply to scholarships while also building better habits to have in college,” Bag said.
Pleasant Valley counselor and CCR teacher Ellie Thomas explained why scholarships are especially important for students preparing for college.
“College is expensive,” Thomas said. “I think that any money that a student earns through a scholarship not only rewards hard work, but closes the gap between any financial aid awards a student may earn and what the family is expected to pay out of pocket.”
Scholarships can help reduce the financial burden many families face as tuition costs continue to rise. Beyond financial preparation, many seniors are also reflecting on what success means to them personally.
Bag said her current definition of success centers around happiness and fulfillment.
“Right now, my idea of success is doing things that make me happy, so my goal is to enrich my life with my career,” Bag said.
For many students, choosing a college major or career involves balancing personal interests with financial stability and long-term opportunities.
Senior Vella Batdorf said her idea of success is tied more closely to fulfillment and relationships than material wealth.
“I think that my overall ideal of success in my life at least is having a fulfilling life,” Batdorf said. “To me, while things like money and goods are nice to have, the driver to believing that I am successful is having a life that I enjoy in a life that I like.”
Batdorf also emphasized the importance of making a positive impact on others.
“I want to believe that I am doing good for the world, even if that’s in a small way,” Batdorf said. “If I can somehow be happy with my life, doing good for the world, and have good relationships with the people around me I think that that would define true success for me.”
Although Bag and Batdorf define success differently, both emphasize happiness and personal fulfillment as central goals.
Many seniors are also using internships and summer programs to gain experience before college. Programs such as Innovate 120 give students opportunities to collaborate with businesses and develop leadership, design and communication skills. Bag has also participated in the Young Emerging Writers Summer Program, where she has continued developing her creative writing abilities.
Thomas encouraged students to carefully research colleges, majors and future career opportunities before making major decisions.
“Be realistic, and educate yourself,” Thomas said. “Look up the Common Data Set for schools that you are interested in to make your list of safety, match and reach schools. Understand the admission requirements, the common data (GPA, test scores, etc.) for the admitted and denied students.”
Thomas also encouraged students to consider long-term financial outcomes when choosing careers and colleges.
“Be very realistic about salary as a first-year employee to make sure you can pay your bills, especially if you are taking out any student loans,” Thomas said. “We call this Return on Investment in CCR.”
Despite the pressure many students feel surrounding college and careers, Thomas emphasized that success looks different for everyone.
“Postsecondary pathways are highly personal,” Thomas said. “Do what is manageable, best and realistic for you. It’s your life.”
As seniors prepare to leave high school behind, many are discovering that success is not defined by a single achievement, but by pursuing goals, relationships and opportunities that align with their own values and ambitions.
