Senior goodbye: Arianna Hall

Dear Carroll juniors,

Thus far, my senior year has been my favorite year of high school. However, these are some pieces of advice I wish I was told before this year. First and most importantly, make the most of your senior year. This can seem very redundant, but it is your last chance to make new friendships and memories. Make sure you do not graduate with any regrets. Joining a new club, trying a new sport, sitting with a new person at school, and getting involved with school events can open so many new doors. You can even start your own club to meet people with the exact same interests as you. This year I have met some of my closest friends because I branched out
and talked to new people. You will not regret trying something new.

Do not procrastinate on what the guidance office is sending you. Yes, I know that you will be receiving a million college-related emails a day from all over. I also understand that hearing about everything you need to complete for college applications can feel overwhelming. However, do everything you need to do early in the year. That includes asking for recommendation letters, filling out the common app questions, doing your senior profile, etc. Listen to the guidance office when they tell you to nip all that in the bud. They say that because it allows you to apply for early action and not have to sweat about meeting final deadlines for colleges. Take it from me and listen to what guidance is telling you.

Lastly, do not let your grades slack off too much. I definitely contracted a minor case of senioritis during the second semester. I had no motivation to do any schoolwork. Grades and going to school started to feel pointless. However, that is very far from the truth. Your grades and attendance still matter even after you have been accepted to a college. Colleges request your final transcripts. They want to see that you showed up to school and kept your grades up. You do not want anything to jeopardize your being able to walk at graduation, or, even worse, to interfere
with your senior summer. Who wants to go to summer school during their senior summer?

I hope you take this advice seriously, and have a great senior year.
Arianna Hall