#seniortips

Hi everyone! Recently, I have just graduated from high school and I would like to make a guide for rising seniors based on what I have experienced. This guide is mainly for american high schoolers.

Standardized Testings

SAT VS ACT

-To the admissions office, it does not really matter which one you do. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, so  I advise everyone to take BOTH tests to see which one complements their abilities better. 

WHEN SHOULD I SEND MY SCORES?

- Usually colleges need their scores to be set around their Regular Decision deadlines in January. With this I would definitely recommend in taking the December SAT/ACT date as it is the last chance to improve your score (if you are not going to spend time to prep for it, there won’t be a need in taking it again as it is just a waste of time and money). 

College Applications

WHEN SHOULD I START?

- I recommend to start college applications and college essays ASAP whenever the portal and prompts are out in the summer. Once senior year begins, it will be a rollercoaster with AP classes, sports, clubs, and standardized testings. A lot of colleges use an application called the Common App to submit applications, so start inserting your information into your profile now!

FAFSA (Free Application For Student Aid)

- FAFSA is the financial aid application. It usually becomes available to file in October, but you can create your FSA ID now. You will be needing an FSA ID for BOTH you and your parents. With this ID, you will be able to complete your FAFSA application.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

When should I start?

- Start thinking about the teachers that you think would write a good letter of recommendation for you. Once school starts, ask your teacher if they are willing to write a recommendation. I highly would ask them in person and not via email or other form as you are asking for a favor. I would also ask them as soon as possible because other students may ask the same teacher for a recommendation as well; your teacher probably will have a certain limit to how many letters she is willing to write. 

How many teacher letters of recommendation do I need?

- Depending on the school that you are applying to you might need 0-2 letters of recommendation from teachers. 

Who should I ask?

- Do not believe the myth that colleges would want a recommendation from a specific department like science or math. You should ask someone that knows you very well and would write good things about you.  Usually teachers from your junior year are good because they have recently taught you in their class in comparison to someone that taught you in 9th grade, but any teacher will do. For my letters of recommendation, I asked my band director (because he has known me all throughout high school from band class and marching band), and my foreign language teacher (also because she knows me very well as she taught me through all four years).

Counselor’s letter of recommendation?

- Of all the schools that I applied to, every single one of them required a counselor’s letter of recommendation. Sometimes this is the only letter that they require for you to submit. As I had a lot of people in my grade, the counseling office had us and our parents separately turn in a form that included information regarding achievements, sports, clubs, and personality. This helped the counselors in my school to write their letters. If you have a similar thing in your school, please DO NOT be shy to brag about all of your achievements. This goes out to your individual college application as well when they ask for honors and achievements. 

COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS

- I think that the essay of an application is the most important thing because if it is that good, no matter how bad your academic stats are, it can get you in. It is a part of the application that you have absolute power on. 

- Many of the college essays are already available by the schools. Check the school’s website to look at the prompts. As I have mentioned earlier, a lot of the schools use the Common Application. The Common app essays are already available to view, so go get started! Note the common app essay is required in addition to any other essays that a school might ask of you to write. 

- In your senior English class (English 12, AP Literature, DE English), you may have time set up by your teacher to work on your essay. Make sure to use this time wisely to work on it AND ASK for your teacher or a classmate to look at your writing. If this time is not offered in your class, go in before or after school to have your teacher look at your essay. I am pretty sure they will be happy to look at it for you and give feedback. It is very important for you to get feedback about how you can do things better and for double checking grammar/mechanical mistakes in your writing. 

What should I write about?

- All of the prompts are broad in a way that you are able to write about ANYTHING. I would recommend that you would write about something that you are really passionate about or would show your character. You want to avoid giving away basic or typical answers because you are trying to stand out from everybody else. The admission office reads ton of essays, so try to make them remember yours by making it unique. For inspiration, try to read essays that has worked (you can search on the internet). 

EXTRA ESSAY PROMPTS

- If a school that you are applying for gives you the option of writing 1-3 essays, then DO ALL OF THEM. This will show that you are very committed in trying to get in their school. It will increase your chance of admission. 

DO YOU DANCE, SING, OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?

- Some colleges allow you to send in a supplement portfolio through slide room where you can send in a video of you doing your talent. 

SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST

SUMMER TIME

~ Sign up to take the SAT/ACT

~ Set up common application account

~ Create  FSA IDs for you and your parents

~ Start Common App and College Essays

~ Brainstorm which teachers to ask for writing your letters of recommendation

SCHOOL YEAR

~ Ask teacher(s) to write letters of reccomendation

~ Go to any college application bootcamps if offered at school

~ Continue to write essays

~ Ask an english teacher to look at your essay

~ Create FAFSA (around October)

~Take standardized tests

**PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK ME QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY!!**

As we age we go through an array of changes physically, mentally and in life which for some can be a very daunting task, but it does not have to be. There are many of the changes we face during our lives as seniors. Finding a way to get through the tough changes happening as you age is crucial.  Our senior health tips will allow you to live your life while maintaining your health no matter how old you are.

Eating healthy is a critical part to maintaining a healthy life as you age into senior years. Many changes occur as you age that can affect you. It takes longer to digest or process food, your metabolism decreases and your taste and smell even change. With these changes in mind, it is crucial to stay on top of your diet and here are some tips to do just that.

Increase the amount of vegetables, grains and fruits that are high in fibre. With your digestive system continuing to slow down as you age, fibre becomes increasingly important. Foods with a lot of fibre will not only help with digesting, but give you more energy as well.

Watch the portions you eat for each meal and avoid over eating.

Avoid dehydration. The changes happening throughout your body as you age make it easier to become dehydrated. With that said, it is important to stay hydrated and drink fluids, especially water.

As people get older, they often exercise less or not at all. The truth is that exercise is extremely important and will always benefit your health, especially for seniors. Exercising throughout your life will make it much easier to maintain as you get older.

An excellent way to begin exercising is walking. It is cost effective as it literally costs you nothing, not to mention it is a proven method of exercise.    

If you are just beginning to exercise then it is critical that you start slow, boosting the level of workout as you go.

Whether you prefer to exercise in a group hiking or you prefer to do it yourself swimming, there is an exercise out there that will fit perfectly for you.

Sleeping becomes increasingly more difficult at we get older which can cause many different health problems and make it a struggle to function properly. Having bad sleeping habits can dramatically increase the risk for poor sleep quality.

Melatonin is naturally produced by the body and is a hormone that helps you to fall asleep. Avoiding artificial lights in the evening will give your melatonin a natural boost and prepare your body and mind for sleep.

Going to bed earlier is always helpful and will allow you more time out of the artificial light to boost your melatonin and get to sleep.

It's okay to dress up every now and then for no reason whatsoever. Dress up for you. Play around with some makeup. Try a new nail polish. It's your last year of high school, don't be afraid to try something new. Someone might even compliment you on it(;

You're a senior, so you're a BAMF automatically.  The freshmeat is too new to try to tell you any different, so act like it.

-Vicy

Remember though, with power comes responsibility. Don't be a jerk, just show them to respect your authority.

Stop giving a fuck. These are YOUR high school years. Make them what YOU want them to be. Don't waste time people pleasing. Do what makes you happy, and what makes you a good person. 

Do NOT stand at the top of the stairs waiting on your boyfriend/girlfriend. They are narrow. Move along now.

Believe in yourself. Test new waters. Expand your horizons. Be social. Love yourself.