Opinion

How to have a Successful Senior Year

The last quarter calls for a reality check for incoming seniors, so here’s a guide to prepare

Yesenia Rosario, Co-Editor-in-Chief

May 12, 2025

Senior section holding up sign during chant

As quarter three ends and the last quarter of the 2024 2025 school year approaches, students must prepare ahead, especially incoming seniors.

Whether you’re in traditional or IB, senior year is a vital year in school. Not only is it your last school year before college and there are fun events such as senior sunrise, grad bash, prom and more that one looks forward to, but academically and mentally students must prepare for the wave that is senior year.

As I step into my last quarter as a senior here are some pieces of advice I wish I would’ve received my junior year to make the transition a little easier.

1. Start College Prepping Early

College application season begins in the fall, and it definitely is time consuming so prepping your applications early on Common App and Xello is an easy way to sort out your choices. Also, consider how much you will need to spend on application fees, because they can get pricey depending on how many colleges you apply to. College prep also includes scholarships such as the FAFSA and Bright Futures. Many early action deadlines are around Dec. 1, so be considerate of due dates.

2. Senior Year is Expensive

On the topic of application fees senior year in general is expensive. Not only are application fees a handful, but there are events and supplies seniors must purchase such as cap and gown, senior photos (at least a yearbook photo session), and field trips, if that’s your thing, such as Grad Bash. These things add up and are costly so it’s important to consider saving up.

3. Senioritis is Real

The myth of senioritis is not a myth at all and is very real. While for me junior year was a drag, senior year is not any better. While it’s filled with fun activities to celebrate our last year, it is also filled with tons of homework on top of balancing work after school and college mayhem. Just when you think college stress is done, after so many applications and decisions, it involves so much more like doing all the modules and scholarships for your admission. A way to cope with this is to balance work and pleasure and take breaks when you get overwhelmed and always think positively. You won’t be in this position forever and it’ll get you to your goal.

4. Plan Ahead

This is an umbrella of advice as this goes with almost everything senior year but planning ahead and scheduling is important and helpful to balance and ease your life. Planning and considering days you work or have a sport or extracurricular to homework will help balance out the stress of it all and allow to not get overwhelmed. Everyone’s schedule looks different so everyone’s planning will differ, but I suggest doing it and giving it a try.

While I could go on for days about how to make it through senior year, these are the most important pieces of advice to consider. Doing these things should help you avoid senioritis and getting overwhelmed on your last year of high school.

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About the Contributors

Yesenia Rosario, Editor-In-Chief

Yesenia Rosario is a senior at Robinson High School and a Co-Editor-In-Chief of the Knight Writers. This is her third year on staff and her second year as an editor. Rosario’s love for journalism was sparked at a young age as she took courses in the subject in middle school. Hesitant at fist, she quickly found her place in the Knight Writers’ staff expanding her skills. “Sophomore year I decided to join because I really wanted to do more photography and writing stories for the school newspaper,” Rosario said. Rarely found without at least one airpod in, ask Rosario what she’s listening to and the answer will probably be a relaxed, R&B artist with mellow, moody tones. “My favorite artists are Daniel Cezar, Peter McPoland and Frank Ocean, who needs to come back i’m begging him,” Rosario said. “I also have been loving Billie Eilish’s newest album.” Some of her favorite time in Newspaper has been spent writing quick News-briefs where she gets to talk to new people and dive into the community of her school. This passion for sharing stories has pushed Rosario to enter college pursuing a Journalism and Communications degree to pursue her talent and passion full-time. “My dream college is UF, but I want to go to any college that will take me and offers the best program for Journalism,” Rosario said.

Jasmyn Mitchner, Senior Staff Writer

Jasmyn Mitchner is a junior at Robinson in her second year as a staff writer for Knight Writers. Drawn to Journalism quite unexpectedly, Mitchner’s bright journey to newspaper began when she needed to change her first-period class last year. Her sister who was already part of the team suggested her to join the staff. “My sister was in newspaper, and she told me about how great it was. I really liked it; so, I joined,” Mitchner said. In her new and sharp second year, Mitchner is eager to dive deeper into her role and take authority of writing better stories and taking better pictures. Her extracurricular activities include pursuing her sporty passions by playing flag football and soccer. Outside of school, Mitchner’s life is filled with a variety of interests which influence her hobbies. Her hobbies consist of sports, singing, hanging out with friends and traveling. “I travel a lot for soccer,” Mitchner said, highlighting how her love for soccer led to the newfound hobby of traveling. Mitchner has two siblings: an elder sister who has clearly influenced her path, and a younger brother who has just entered the seventh grade. She also has a surprising pet- a fish that adds a whimsical touch to her busy life. “I have a pet fish named Harold, ” Mitchner said. Her plans foreseeing her future after high school include going to college or university, with hopes of getting recruited for collegiate soccer. She wishes to play professional soccer after graduating.