For many, senior year in high school means prom, senior sunrise, homecoming, senior grad night, and graduation. Although senior year is filled with exciting milestones, it’s also one of the most stressful times in a teenager’s life. Everything becomes stressful because you have to decide your future at 17 years old.
While senior year has many milestones, it is also one of the most stressful periods for many. From juggling college applications and homework to managing part-time jobs and other responsibilities, seniors face an overwhelming amount of pressure during this pivotal time in their lives.
While deciding your future can be tricky, some students are set on what they want for their future. Senior Adrian Mora is one of those students, already firmly focused on a future career.
“I’m set on what I want to do, I want to go into psychology,” Mora said.
Senior Maria Estrada-Jaramillo also has a set career in mind. She mentioned her strong love for biology.
“I have my future career set, I want to major in biology to later be a biotechnician,” Jaramillo said.
These responses stand out because most students are still undecided about their future careers. According to the Student Research Group, about 80% of college students change their major at least once highlighting how common it is to explore different paths.
Along with deciding their future, seniors also have to take active steps toward their career path. They do this by writing Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and personal statements that might seem simple, but they’re often more challenging than expected.
Jaramillo also expressed her stress about the PIQ’s and writing essays about herself.
“In the upcoming months, I’m mostly stressed about college applications, specifically personal insight questions or writing about myself,” Jaramillo said.
Personal insight questions and personal statements often require hours of effort, and are reviewed with school counselors, tutors, or teachers. They are also ongoing tasks that demand careful attention. They often require multiple drafts before being reviewed by college admission officers.
Senior year is filled with challenges, but it’s also a time of growth and preparation. Whether seniors have their future figured out or are still exploring their options, every step they take brings them closer to achieving their goals.
