High school is tough, anybody will tell you that. The drama, the uneven sleep schedules and an ongoing competition to be the best, wears down even the most hardened of students. Don’t believe all of the hype around senior year, either. Besides the stress and regret that will inevitably build up as the time for college applications approaches, daring to take even one class that isn’t triple block woodshop will bring homework, and lots of it. But do not fret, my young readers, for there is hope. If you follow my step-by-step guide, come senior year, you will be living it up while your peers hunker down. Class is now in session.

Step One: Do Your Homework

This is an obvious one. We all live busy lives, surrounded by busy people doing busy things. There is always a million excuses to not do something. If you put off all of your homework until the last minute and never once stop to look at your notes before a test, I can guarantee senior year will not be nice to you. Senior Davis Brock imparted some great advice for underclassmen going into the second semester.

“Take risks,” Brock said. “Try classes you normally wouldn’t. There is so much opportunity out there than most students realize, it’s just up to (underclassmen) to find it.”

Brock is right. There are so many interesting classes one can take at this school with minimal risk of mental breakdown. AP Psychology usually puts off otherwise interested students simply because the class is AP, but in reality, you will learn so much about the brain and the seemingly mundane habits humans have formed for our survival, that the tests are more interesting than they are difficult.

“AP classes aren’t as hard as they are made out to be,” Brock said. “If you put in even a few hours a week dedicated to studying, you will be alright.”

Step Two: Go In For Help

Another obvious one. The only person that knows your problems is you. The teachers are not psychics, believe it or not, and your inherent genius cannot memorize all of the bones in the body without some extra practice. Lucky for you, there is a magical person who can answer all of your questions and even knows the answers to all the test questions. This person was the same one that watched you play Madden on your phone all class instead of taking notes, but even they do not want to see you fail. The teachers at this school are incredibly smart, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of their knowledge, because they do know best.

Step Three:  Make the Most Of Your Time

There is very little time left in our lives where there is so much freedom. You can do anything, literally. Even as freshman, you will have more opportunities than say, seniors, even though they do get to sit at the front of the student section.

“Don’t slack off while you’re an underclassman,” senior Mason Parker said. “Your grades and extracurriculars are just as important as they are made out to be. Studying isn’t hard, so just do it.”

High school is the easiest job you’ll ever have, so don’t squander your time. Try your hardest in your classes, but also strive to experiment with things you normally wouldn’t. Extracurriculars are just as important for colleges as grades, because they show your human side. Try out for that theatre productions, play piano in the talent show or write competitively for those UIL competitions. Time WILL fly, and you’lll be done before you know it.

Senior year is easy and there is so much talk of the future. A common feeling during senior year is nostalgia, so make as many memories as you can. Second semester of senior year, after trying your hardest and doing the best work you could for three years, you can sit back and laugh and watch as the rest of the year flies by, until you are walking across the stage, smiling because the future is suddenly right in front of you, and now you can’t wait to be there.