8 reasons you should enjoy your last year of high school

By Morgan M.

This August I started my thirteenth year of school. I am now a senior. I have had many ups and downs during my high school years. Some things were very challenging, and some things were straightforward. There were plenty of demanding moments, but I had goals that needed to be reached. Therefore, I feel that I know how to get through my last year in high school and have a wonderful rest of the school year.

8. Senior Meeting - On August 15, 2025, there was a senior class meeting for seniors to order their caps and gowns, different clothing with the CO26 attached to it, and their class rings. As a senior, I feel like you should not miss this meeting. It is an exciting meeting that brings all the seniors together to make sure we are on the same track, know all the deadlines and due dates of the things that need to be paid before the big day, and better understand the requirements we must meet in order to walk the stage.

7. Senior Sunrise - Seniors should always have the opportunity to attend the Senior Sunrise. It is a very outstanding opportunity. During the Senior Sunrise, students arrive at school and are on the field at around 6:00 AM. The sunrise begins at about 6:30 AM and ends around 7:30 AM. It is a very fun time to enjoy the sunrise, eat snacks, talk with your friends, and simply enjoy your last year of high school with your class.

6. Jostens Early Celebration Items Delivery - Jostens' early celebration items are items that seniors buy, including sweatpants, shirts, beanies, key chains, invitation cards, tassels, caps, gowns, and more. This is a very fun experience. Although it is expensive, it is very much worth it. On September 19, 2025, seniors received the items they have paid for. You get to take them home, send out your letters, enjoy the warm clothes, try on your caps and gowns, and get ready for your special day.

5. Senior Portraits / Yearbook Pictures - Senior pictures and yearbook pictures are when it gets real. From June 16 to 19, seniors had the opportunity to take their senior portraits and yearbook pictures. Yearbook pictures are formal and are featured in the official school yearbook. For the girls, you would wear a black drape, which requires a strapless top or spaghetti strap tank top underneath. Boys would wear a tuxedo jacket and bow tie or a white dress shirt with a dark tie. Senior pictures are more personal, creative, and unique. They focus on the student’s personality and interests. You can have more creative control over location, poses, and outfits. It is a great memory for your last year of high school.

4. Prom - Prom is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For seniors, it is a memorable event. Prom offers seniors the chance to celebrate memories and friendships before graduating. Dressing up is one of my favorite things, including formal attire, hair, and makeup. Prom also brings fun and freedom. It has music, dancing, and a break from the stress of exams and graduation preparations. In summary, prom is one of the last big events before graduation, signaling the transition from high school to adulthood.

3. Homecoming - Homecoming is a very enjoyable time. It is a day to enjoy a football game at our school around 7:30 PM, when the Homecoming King is announced. There is also a pep rally during the day, where we go over fall sports like volleyball, football, and soccer, and announce the Homecoming Queen. The pep rally is a fun activity that allows students to play games, listen to music, compete in activities, and enjoy themselves. Spirit week is also during that week, where you can dress up as different people. We also have food and milkshake sales and enjoy the week.

2. Sports - Playing sports in your senior year of high school is important for developing life skills like leadership and time management and for improving mental and physical health. I take this very seriously. I have played basketball since eighth grade, and it was completely different coming into ninth grade. I had to notice that high school is much more challenging, with more work and responsibilities. Being a student-athlete is not easy, and it only gets harder. It is like turning into an adult and learning to live in the real world. But the fun part about being a senior during this time is Senior Night, where you are acknowledged for all your accomplishments and achievements during all four years. It is a very fun time with your family, friends, teammates, and coaches celebrating you.

1. Senior Walk - Senior Walk is when all seniors walk through their elementary or middle school in their caps and gowns. This is a time to reconnect with former teachers and younger students, celebrate the journey, and inspire younger students by showing them that hard work leads to graduation. It is a moment of pride, a very celebratory moment in your life, a moment you will not experience again, and a moment every senior should be proud of.

As I was putting this listicle together, I was curious about what our Principal, Mr. Schilit, had to say to our seniors or upcoming seniors. He responded, “This is an important question. I actually just talked about it with a student today. Though a high school student may not realize it, this time is once in a lifetime and goes quickly. Cherish and enjoy these four years and experience what you are interested in. You do not want to be the person in ten years saying that you wish you participated in something in high school or that you wish you gave more effort in your math classes.

So to summarize, my reason would be that you only get this opportunity once in life. Enjoy being a high school student.”

Additionally, there have been plenty of articles written about this topic that I have chosen. In one article found online on this topic, many teachers and students provided information and reasons why you should enjoy your last year of high school. One student explained, “As you go through senior year, it can feel like everything is coming to a close. You have your last homecoming, last basketball game, last class with your favorite teacher, etc. Amidst all of these lasts, it’s easy to lose sight of all the firsts that are about to come. While your opening year of college does come with a lot of firsts, one thing that will be consistent through both high school and college is coursework. College classes will likely be more challenging than your high school courses, so it’s essential that you maintain good study habits during your senior year in order for these habits to continue as you matriculate. If you become lazy when it comes to your schoolwork now, it will be infinitely harder to ramp back up in the fall. A good work ethic is a skill that has to be built up. You cannot prepare to run a marathon overnight, and you will not be able to work harder instantly once you start college. Make it easier on yourself and keep up the hard work.”

In conclusion, whether it feels like school is hard, not worth putting in effort, boring, or a waste of time, advice from a twelfth-grade student is not just advice to make you feel like every other year did not matter. It is advice to keep you moving forward in life. Take time to focus on a balance of academic and personal growth, utilize time management tools, and keep seeking support from teachers, counselors, friends, and family.