Seniors: Make the Most Out of Your Year

Can you believe we're this close to the beginning of another school year and application season? How is it August already? Welcome to the Admissions Spotlight portion of our newest social media platform. First of all, I want to offer a warm welcome to all seniors reading this post, you've found us and we hope you stick around and check back often throughout the year. 

Seniors, you're almost there! You're about to (or, depending where you live, already have) entered the last year of high school. This is a big year. And, this is a big year, not just because you're applying to college but because this is the year where you will likely take courses you're excited about that are challenging and interesting, you are going to excel in your extracurriculars, and most importantly, a year where you will hopefully slow down and enjoy your last moments of high school.

So, my advice to you comes in three sections.

1) Do well and challenge yourself in your classes. Fall semester of senior year (and spring semester) is not a time to take a laid back approach to your work. Jump into that challenging class or sign up for the honors course. We want you to challenge yourself, but you are the only one who knows your limits and whether or not you will be able to do well in these courses. Remember, you need to sleep, eat, hang out with friends, be the head of the chess club/MUN/soccer etc. and apply to college. 

2) Engage in your extracurriculars. You don't want to sign up for 40 clubs in an effort to "beef up" your resume. We see through that. Engage in meaningful ways with extracurriculars that you actually care about. Continue the activities that have meant the most to you in high school and step out of your comfort zone. Maybe that means signing up for an extra shift at the library or volunteering to lead a project on your own. Maybe it means that you're going to go out for a student leadership role. Barnard is a place where young women with all different types of interests and backgrounds come together and learn from each other, so there's no one way we want you spending your time outside of class.

3) Enjoy your last year of high school. Keep everything in perspective. The college process is one that can be full of anxiety, stress and unknowns for both students and parents. What we hope to do through this blog is to quell some of those worries and give you an inside perspective of what goes on throughout our year, and what you can do throughout yours.

We are so excited to continue this journey with you and we hope you engage with us throughout your year. Send us an email, visit campus, follow us on Instagram (@barnardadmissions), Twitter (@BCadmit) or Snapchat (@barnardadmiss)!

Good luck!

Megan

mcotoole@barnard.edu