<p>The end still seems so far away (75 days to be exact), but I feel like I'm at that point where I can dish out the best advice now. So, to those of you who have a year or more left in high school, heed my advice:</p>
<ul>
<li>Don't overload your schedule. By "overload" I mean taking all APs and honors, even in subjects you don't plan on studying in college. Everybody has heard of the infamous senioritis bug, but nobody understands just how severe it is until he or she is actually a senior. It's quite likely that you won't have the same willpower you once did as a naive underclassmen or an [overly] ambitious junior, and so chugging through work and information that just does not interest you will be next to impossible. Despite what you may have heard, C's do not look that much better in AP/honors classes than in regular classes. Disregard if you're applying to a top ten school (then you have no choice).</li>
</ul>
<p>-Get your applications done early. The sooner the better. I don't care if you're schools' deadlines aren't until February...get those applications done in the fall! It'll be a huge weight off your shoulders. Depending on what you choose to do, you may have scholarship applications and such to fill as the year progresses, and you'll of course still have schoolwork to do. Best to not muddle all those obligations together.</p>
<p>-Don't take all "joke" classes. Countering the first point, it's important not to relax so much your senior year that your schedule reads all easy classes/electives. Even if you've completed all the credits you need to go to your first choice school, take the opportunity to use the gaps in your schedule productively. Take another language (level 1 languages are always easy, and having two languages on your transcript will look great) or consider independent study. If you have a free period at the end of the day, use it constructively like by going to work.</p>
<p>-Make new friends. Sure, sure, I know what you're thinking. "It's senior year, why go out of my way to make new friends?" Everyone will be so chill as a senior that it is a prime opportunity to reach out to people you may not have had the chance to talk to before. Reaching out will be good practice for your first few weeks in college. And having old high school friends to call up will come in handy on those nights (that WILL occur every now and then) that you're feeling nostalgic or homesick.</p>
<p>-Remember that you ARE still in school. This should go without saying, that as a senior don't expect yourself to be above the rules of your teachers or administration. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many kids start acting up as seniors and face steep consequences because of it.</p>
<p>-Be a leader. You rule the [student population of the] school now. Take that as you please; be a role model or be like that cool older sibling.</p>
<p>-Have fun! I had to add that just be cliche =) But really, do enjoy yourself.</p>