A senior next year? Really? It all went by so fast, I can’t believe it. Going to college and getting my degree is my next big step; then I’m off to have a career in doing what I love. I will be my own person. I could go anywhere and do whatever I want.
Even though senior year is coming up fast, I still have one summer and one year of school left. There’s also lots of things to look forward to with being a senior, like lots of senior perks and privileges.
Rachel Kalmanovsky, a junior at Nonnewaug, shares the same opinion and is thrilled for next year.
“I’m so excited for all the opportunities and privileges that come with being a senior, and especially like taking on leadership roles and mentoring incoming freshmen through [the] Harbor Program,” said Kalmanovsky, “but also just positively influencing freshmen and giving them tips and tricks so they don’t have to struggle.”
Kalmanovsky’s thoughts on becoming a senior are very refreshing to me and makes me feel more excited for next year.
One student has the complete opposite opinion. Katelyn Burrier, a junior at Nonnewaug, is not as interested in everything that comes with being a senior.
“I can’t wait to skedaddle out of here,” Burrier said ecstatically.
I can’t wait either, but I’m a little nervous for what is next after high school. Senior Emma Valentine has some advice for juniors transitioning into seniors.
“Don’t take all study halls because colleges are looking for you to have a lot of classes; they don’t want to see that once you get to be a senior, that you just don’t take any classes,” Valentine stressed. “They want to see that you’re still trying to push yourself.”
I know that the majority of the seniors next year will try to incorporate as many study halls for next year to leave as early as possible.
Valentine is also looking at all of the positives of graduating high school, like having more free time. But there are still a lot of stresses when it comes to becoming a senior.
“I think my biggest stress in senior year is going to be balancing my involvements, like my extracurriculars, with my workload, because I plan on taking more APs next year.” Kalmanovsky said. “However, I agree with my guidance counselor kind of structure it, and also just try to implement new strategies at home to better manage my time.”
At about this same time next year, we’re going to be walking on stage and getting our diplomas. I find it surprising that we spend 13 years in school just to get a little paper stating what we’ve accomplished. It was all worth it, though, with all of the people I’ve met and all of the sleepless nights I’ve had.
Graduation, here I come.
This is the opinion of Olivia Thompson, a junior reporter for the Chief Advocate.
