Senior year is expected to be one of the easiest years of your high school career. Well, they lied. Senior year is the most stressful year of them all.
I've been going to therapy for the past 4 years. I genuinely believe in the power of therapy and how everyone deserves that unbiased opinion to help you look at life from a different perspective. Over the past 4 months, the main topic of my therapy sessions has been college and the overall exhaustion of the whole process. I've been telling my therapist that the motivation to get up and work on scholarships, make decisions, maintain grades, and take the initiative has simply dwindled away. I don't feel like doing anything, and I’m ultimately starting to hate the idea of going to college because if the pressure and stress are anything similar to what I've experienced this year, I DON'T WANT TO DEAL.
When I tell her about my anxieties about college and the fear of me giving up, she gives me advice that I feel like every senior should hear, so here it iS:
I've been going to therapy for the past 4 years. I genuinely believe in the power of therapy and how everyone deserves that unbiased opinion to help you look at life from a different perspective. Over the past 4 months, the main topic of my therapy sessions has been college and the overall exhaustion of the whole process. I've been telling my therapist that the motivation to get up and work on scholarships, make decisions, maintain grades, and take the initiative has simply dwindled away. I don't feel like doing anything, and I’m ultimately starting to hate the idea of going to college because if the pressure and stress are anything similar to what I've experienced this year, I DON'T WANT TO DEAL.
When I tell her about my anxieties about college and the fear of me giving up, she gives me advice that I feel like every senior should hear, so here it iS:
"It's okay to experience burnout"
Burnout is something that we all experience when we know that we have put our all into something. Now that you're ending this chapter, it's challenging to end it with a BANG when we have been consistently running on 100. Although it might be hard to accept the idea that you simply can't give it your all, the reality is that you can't, and that is okay because you've already given it.
"Put yourself first"
At the end of the day, the only person who has to end up with the decisions made in your life is YOU. The first step of getting to know yourself and your desires is to listen to what you need and understand that when making major life decisions that affect YOU, it is okay to be selfish and not let anyone tell you otherwise.
"Gap year?"
A gap year is also an option if you've been consecutively attending school for 10+ years. Let's be honest: YOU'RE TIRED. Take a year to recoup, gather finances, learn more about yourself, relax, and explore new hobbies if you need to. That is okay because you deserve it, and you deserve to go about things at the pace that is ideal for you.
"Don’t let stress get the best of you"
Everyone deals with stress, especially adults. The difference between adults that look stressed and adults that look like they ¨high off life¨ is how they handle stress. The mindset of ¨glass half full" will always get you further than "glass half empty. "
"Stop comparing yourself"
Your journey will not be the same as everyone else's. Comparing yourself doesn't do anything but increase your anxiety. Be comfortable with where you are, and if you need improvement, go ahead and make improvements. Don't sit and continue to compare.
"Getting your rest"
Go to bed. Half of your problems can all be fixed if you stop going to bed at 2am.
"Your feelings are valid"
Every emotion of anxiety, fear, stress, happiness, sadness, and overall being overwhelmed is valid. The transition from high school to college is major, and you have a right to feel every emotion.
"Enjoy your time as senior"
Senior year is actually supposed to be fun, although you may be stressed about college and your future. This is the time to celebrate your accomplishments during high school. Celebrate yourself and have fun. YOU DESERVE IT!
This advice has improved my outlook on senior year. I've learned to be happy with my progress throughout high school. I understand college will not be easy, and that's okay. Burnout comes with the program, and your approach makes your ultimate outcome. I advise every senior to keep going and live in the moment. The best way to go about the rest of your senior year is to do what makes you happy and to SLEEP, lol.
This advice has improved my outlook on senior year. I've learned to be happy with my progress throughout high school. I understand college will not be easy, and that's okay. Burnout comes with the program, and your approach makes your ultimate outcome. I advise every senior to keep going and live in the moment. The best way to go about the rest of your senior year is to do what makes you happy and to SLEEP, lol.
KAYLA GRIFFIN
SHE/ HER
Location Reviewer
SHE/ HER
Location Reviewer
