As the Class of 2025 moves forward they have to think carefully about their next moves heading into senior year. Things like SAT, ACT, letters of recommendation, community service, and even internships are what rising seniors are worried about. They know the consequences of not being prepared and are trying to take advantage of opportunities during their summer before senior year. Given the weight of this significant school year, rising seniors are burdened with numerous concerns, often leading to a sense of panic.
However, senior year is not entirely dreadful. It might be filled with college applications and the realization that you are growing up, but there are many wonderful activities that occur during senior year. MCHS hosts many activities for the seniors to relax and have fun. As the Class of 2025 heads into their last year of high school, this is a reminder that although it is important to focus on school, there will still be moments where you can just relax and have fun with your peers.
TikTok, a social media app, has many lovely activities that rising seniors can do with friends. It includes things like personally decorating boxes for memories that are going to be created during senior year. Creating a personal box for all your memories is healing, especially when you look back onto those memories in a few years. Staying home is not your only option because if your friends are available, then everyone can dress up and go out to fun places. Not only that but everyone can make bucket lists together about fun things to do during the last year in high school. Many seniors have also been seen going back into the past as they bring kid backpacks to school. It has been a fun tradition seen on social media that brings joy to those in their last year of high school.
It doesn’t have to be sad if you don’t make it out to be like that. There are many activities that can be found with a click of a button so don’t stay home and enjoy this summer before college is the only thing mentioned at school.
If you don’t feel prepared and want to take advantage of this summer to do something productive, don’t worry as there are many things to make you feel prepared. You can take advantage of how close we are to some colleges by visiting and even doing a tour when you can. Not only can you visit colleges, but you can also go out and volunteer or try to land some internships that relate to your field of study. If you are not a fan of being out then there are some alternatives such as studying for the ACT or SAT and asking politely for some letters of recommendation from teachers.
Junior Jamie Gallegos explains her uneasiness about starting senior year because she understands that if you aren’t prepared for it then there will be consequences. Gallegos continues to state that she feels like she doesn’t have to worry, but that thought is still there.
“I feel scared for senior year. Why? Because if you don’t have anything done by senior year, then you are technically done for. I don’t have anything to worry about, but that thought still lingers in my head,” Gallegos said.
For Gallegos, it doesn’t feel like it’s been four years in high school, but she still has to say goodbye to her childhood. It is all about college apps and applying to universities from now on. She is growing up and applying to her dream schools. One recurring thought still weighing on her mind is how even her dream school can reject her.
“It’s the last year in high school but it doesn’t feel like that. The college apps are coming in soon and that is scary to think about. I also have to think about the possibility of getting rejected from my dream school which is heartbreaking,” Gallegos said.
Junior Jahir Morales shares the same feeling as Gallegos for the upcoming year as he states that college might just be the main thing he thinks about in the upcoming year. As high school comes to an end, his friends are another thing on his mind. He is saddened knowing that after senior year, it might just be the last time he sees some of his friends. Not all friendships end like that, but sometimes we know they will before it even happens.
“I guess the looming thought of applying to colleges. I also see it as bittersweet because it is probably the last time I am going to be with a lot of my high school friends,” Morales said.
Santa Ana High School junior Berenice Morales plans to start the year off strong ensuring that she makes an impression on the people around her. She wants to leave high school on a good note because she won’t be back as a new chapter in her life will open. She is looking forward to meeting her new teachers for the most important year of high school, like any other rising senior.
“I plan on starting senior year by making new friends and meeting the new teachers for this upcoming year,” Morales said.
As the Class of 2025 continues into the final stretch of high school, each one of them still has to navigate through their hopes, fears, and aspirations. Although there will be inevitable changes and goodbyes that come with senior year, there are many reasons why it is exciting. New memories will be made and Class of 2025 will be have the opportunity to shape their future ahead
With this in mind, embrace your journey ahead as the Class of 2025. Make the most in the last year of high school with friends before stepping into the next chapter of your life.
