As we start our second semester of high school, (last semester for some of us), it can feel both exciting and extremely overwhelming. Seniors are committing to their future universities, juniors are registering for new classes, and everyone else is already looking forward to Spring break. For some seniors, second semester isn’t just filled with fun events and late starts, it can often be the most stressful time of year. Let’s be real, no one knows exactly what they want to do for the rest of their life by their senior year of high school, (and if you do, you’re either incredibly lucky or slightly delusional). The good news is, we don’t have to! The bad news is, our parents, college admission reps, and most of society make us believe that we do. 

Where it all goes wrong. 

Once late September hits, so does the hurricane. The stress-free wave that we’ve been riding during the first few weeks of school crashes quickly after Homecoming weekend. Suddenly, we hear the words, “personal essay,” and everything fades back into reality. Now, instead of worrying about which heels to wear or who’s driving to pictures, we’re more concerned with where we’ll end up 10 years from now. It feels like the second we start enjoying our final year of high school, we’re reminded that it’s now the beginning of something else entirely, something scarier than an AP physics test. That reminder alone is enough to send anyone into a full-on spiral. 

Why are we pretending?

Of course, it’s nice to feel like you have a plan. It gives us a sense of control, as if we have complete power over what the universe has in store for us for the rest of our lives. Most of us probably have some version of our life mapped out, whether you’ve chosen your college major based on that plan, or if it lives in a Pinterest board, (for me, it’s both). Everyone has some idea of what their future might look like, but can we all agree to stop acting like we have everything figured out? Because having an idea isn’t the same as having certainty, and pretending just makes the pressure feel 10 times worse. 

Why do we judge other people’s “futures” instead of minding our own?

Somewhere along the way, our future plans turn into competition. Maybe it’s the fear that we won’t end up where we want to, or that your high school “frenemy” will end up making more money than you after graduation, (ugh). It’s not always bad though. Healthy competition can sometimes be a good thing. But it shouldn’t make our senior year more stressful than it has to be, so maybe stop asking everyone where they’re going to end up, and start working on those scholarship applications. 

You’re not alone. 

We all feel the weight of the question, “Where do you see yourself in ten years?” We might respond by explaining our life goals or what we think we’ll be doing, but secretly, we’re more focused on the 5-page Pre-Calc review packet that’s due next class. Although they usually mean well, most of the adults in our lives make us feel as though we have something to prove through our future plans. And if we don’t have one, then we’ve failed. In reality, no 17- or 18-year-old is 100% sure of the decisions they’re making about any part of their lives, no matter how confident they seem. Whether you’ve had a dream school since you were 13, are going into college undeclared, or you’ve decided that the whole “4-year university” isn’t for you, I can guarantee that you’ve had some doubts about making the right choice. 

So how do we get through it?

Breathe. Literally. Take so many deep breaths, more than you think are necessary, and then take some more. It might sound stupid, but one thing we all need to do during our senior year is slow down. Don’t underestimate the power of taking a deep breath, pausing to reset, and stepping away from constantly thinking about what comes next. 

Focus on the good. If you’re having a rough time–maybe you got rejected from your dream school, didn’t win a life-changing scholarship, or you’re in a situation where your future plans are the last of your worries, be aware of the good that still exists around you. Again, it sounds stupid, but optimism works when you least expect it. A negative mindset will never give you a positive life. Despite the rough patches, good things do happen during your senior year of high school. Pay attention to the teacher who always says “Hi” to you in the hallways. Bring an energy drink to survive English class at 7:30 in the morning. Enjoy the fact that soon, you’ll graduate and never have to face the History Wing bathrooms ever again. 

And don’t forget to lean on other people. Being afraid to ask for help is something we all need to unlearn during our senior year. If you feel like there’s no one who gets it, I promise there’s at least one person, in or out of school, who will listen. Whether we want to believe it or not, our friends, family, counselors, and teachers are all here to help. And who knows, talking about your uncertainties might make someone else feel understood, too. 

A note to all seniors, (including myself).

This might take some convincing, but you really don’t have to have your whole life mapped out in the middle of senior year. You’re allowed to care about your future while still enjoying the present. We all complain about having to go to school, getting stuck behind endless slow walkers in the hallways, and doing Calculus assignments even though our future careers might have nothing to do with math, but you might miss some parts of high school in a year from now. So while you still can, enjoy it. Go to basketball games, dress up for Spirit Week, or just take some time for yourself on the weekends. Don’t spend this entire year being stressed out. Instead, remember that it’s all temporary. No one’s future is going to turn out exactly how they think it will, and while that may seem scary, it’s probably a good thing.