Senior year is the year most high school students look forward to, a year of fun activities that mark the end of a chapter before the start of adulthood. Sometimes, it’s hard to balance the stress of school and college applications while trying to make memories. That’s why we’ve created a timeline for your entire year to help you plan the year accordingly.
Summer
The summer before senior year is crucial if you want to get ahead in the college application process. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed when the school year starts. Summer is the perfect time to create your general profile on your college portal, draft essays, and retake any tests you might want to improve your score on. Additionally, you have the opportunity to explore internships, shadowing opportunities, jobs, etc.
On your senior checklist, you can use the summer to cross off photoshoots. Lots of seniors take their photos over the summer to free up the school year which gets busy quickly. This includes Senior Sunday photos, sports photos, yearbook photos, and sometimes even cap and gown photos.
Fall
The fall will most likely be the busiest part of senior year, especially for those applying for early decision. It’s very important to ask teachers for letters of recommendation early in the season, providing them with an ample amount of time to write them. With the start of school, the college application process is often procrastinated, so it’s important you prioritize the process even if you feel unmotivated. By the end of the fall, you should have all of your early decision applications submitted, and you’ll be able to focus on regular decision applications as well as financial aid.
Winter
Before you go on winter break, it’s important to finish the semester strong. Get all of your final applications completed and submitted. Afterwards, it’s important to start researching and applying for financial aid, scholarships, and grants. School-wise, make sure to study for finals and continue to prioritize academics. Just because you’re in your last year of high school doesn’t mean you can blow it off. Enjoy your break, visit some colleges, and continue to be productive.
Spring
Spring is the final stretch. College admission decisions will be rolling out, so it’s time to compare offers. Visit, research, and get advice about all of the colleges you’re deciding between. Official decision day is May 1st. Make sure to send out your final transcript too. Other than that, soak up the last bit of high school. Enjoy prom, graduation, and any other event you have the opportunity to participate in.
Summer
With senior year over, it’s time to have fun! Take that senior trip, attend those graduation parties, and make memories. Get ready for orientation and go dorm shopping!
We hope you have an amazing senior year, and we hope that this timeline will make it a little easier for you to balance all of these monumental events taking place.
Author: Jaylene Marks, Media Department Member
