Advice to Seniors From a Teacher

Not only am I a teacher with a vested interest in our high school graduating seniors, but this year, 2011, I am a Mother of a teen girl who will graduate in May. My advice to our seniors is not only as a professional, but as a Mother who is presently giving the very same advice in her home. So take a seat and enjoy suggestions of what to do and not to do during the end of your senior year.

1. The number one piece of advice is to not let your grades fall. Many a senior has received scholarships, then let their grades drop the last semester. There is nothing worse than having secured a scholarship, and then losing it due to falling grades. Also, colleges look at all grades. They don't suddenly decide to dismiss the last semester of grades. Your high school career is four complete years, not three and a partial year. Hit the last semester's studies like it was the most important semester of your life.

2. Have fun during your senior year, but not too much fun. Does that sounds like an oxymoron? Everyone looks forward to their senior year- prom, senior trip, grad day, senior skip day, and the list goes on. Enjoy your senior year, but do not get caught up in the fun until you forget the goal of an education. Remember your future education and career is just around the corner. Enjoy your senior year, but within reason. Is that all night party the night of the prom, really such a great idea? Will you end up getting in real trouble if you skip school on senior skip day? is the senior prank worth the possible consequences? Some seniors have been banned from their graduation because of an impulsive senior prank. Be careful with your choice of fun, because the fun might come with uninvited consequences.

3. Do not put all of your eggs in one basket, as the saying goes. Maybe you really want to go to a certain school, but don't get in. Do not give up and decide college life is not for you. Maybe you have to go to an alternate school instead. There are literally thousands of colleges out there. You can make A's at your second choice, prove what you can do in college, and try again to get accepted to your first choice!! Also, do not make your college choice based on where your friends or boyfriend is going. Will that school really provide the education you want? Do they have the major you want to concentrate in?

4. Refuse to get caught up in the emotion of " I'll never see you again"; "' This is the end of our childhood" and all the other associated drama that goes with the emotions of being a senior. True, it is your last year of required formal education. Chances are, you will keep in touch with the people in high school who really mattered to you. With social networking such as Facebook and Myspace, its actually difficult to lose track of people. I discovered, that many of my friends ended up going to my college. Some people I had nothing to do with in high school, suddenly were my friends. The dynamics change in college.

5. Do not be selfish. You may be moving on, but you owe a lot to the people who have helped you get this far. Take it from a teacher, we do not make a lot of money, and chances are , we are in this profession because we care about students. Give your favorite teacher , guidance counselor or principal a thank you card or small gift. I can guarantee they do not get many. How about your parents or grandparents or other family members that have been there for you? Not to preach, but they have given up a lot of their time and even dreams to help you become the person you are now. Do something special for them. It doesn't have to be a gift. Surprise Dad and wash his car. Give your Mom a treat of a cooked dinner during the week when she gets home from work. Not only will you make that person's day, you will feel good about yourself too!!

Senioritis is easy to fall prey to. Many Seniors think its almost over, so why try to give education any more effort. By taking heed and following a few tips, you just might be able to skip a serious case of Senioritis and graduate on track, ready for the future!