High school is an important transition point in any young adult's life. The senior year just may be the most crucial one of the four-year tour.
This is the year you begin gearing up for college, and that means there are extra goals to be set and achieved. These goals may vary from person to person depending on their career path.
However, there are some key goals that every senior should include on their long list of things to get done. We have pulled together a few college goals to set for a senior year that you need to see.
Goal #1 – Get Acquainted With Prospective Colleges & Majors
The first thing you should put on your goals list is to research the colleges that you are interested in. Choose several and then begin researching admission requirements and what the schools offer by way of financial aid and extracurricular activities.
If the college you chose is close, maybe set up a campus tour with their admissions so you can check out the vibe and facilities of the school. If you're not close, many schools are offering virtual tours and other means of getting a feel for the school. Then, it's time to think about majors.
It is okay if you're not sure of your major even as you enter college, but one thing to keep in mind is to really dive into what majors may interest you. Get to know their requirements and career opportunities so that you can have a better understanding of where you are headed in the future.
Goal #2 – Talk With Your Counselor
Another goal that is good to add to that list is to set up an appointment with your guidance counselor. It is best to do this before you begin the application submission process for the colleges you have chosen.
In fact, you should bring your application with you, and the two of you can go over them. The counselor will help you figure out what to include to maximize your chances of acceptance.
Goal #3 – Extracurriculars
One thing that should be on your goals should be extracurricular activities. Just because you are riding into your senior year and have a lot to do, you shouldn’t let these fall behind or get swept aside.
Many colleges look at these as one of the factors when deciding if you are right for them. These extracurricular activities can also lead to scholarship possibilities.
Goal #4 – Recommendations & Applications
The last goal you should be striving to achieve is to get letters of recommendation, as well as actually submit your applications. These should all be done about halfway through your senior year.
Tips For a Successful Senior Year
Other than working hard and applying for applicable scholarships, there are some other tips that we think you could use to have a successful final year in high school. Here are some of them.
- Don’t let the old senioritis get to you. A lot of seniors walk into the year thinking that what they do in this year doesn’t matter, especially grade-wise.
However, if your grades slip from when you submitted your application, many colleges can ask you to explain why. Just push through and keep your eye on the prize.
- Make sure that you stay engaged and challenged. It is easy to try to skate through the last year with easy classes. Instead, try to get some honors classes in or even to try an elective that may challenge you.
- Lastly, try to keep a nice balance between work and play. Burnout can have some serious repercussions.
Summary
Making sure that all these goals are checked off and completed with all the passion and dedication you can muster will help your senior year feel less stressed. It will also ensure you a better chance of getting into the college you want.
If you would also like to see how to set 5 year goals, take a look here.
