With the first quarter of the school year underway, Schreiber’s seniors may find it extremely challenging to find the time and energy to manage their college applications, school work, and other commitments.  It is very common to feel stressed during this time with application deadlines approaching and rigorous academic coursework progressing.  With such a stressful and life-altering year ahead, it is important for all seniors to continue to stay optimistic and as focused as possible throughout this school year.  Hopefully, with the following tips gathered from Schreiber alumni, senior year will be more manageable, enjoyable, and stress-free.

One very effective way to briefly take your mind off your academics and blow off some steam is to exercise or move your body in any way.  Physical activity is an amazing way to de-stress and produce endorphins, which improves your overall mental health.  Mental well-being is often overlooked when the to-do list grows longer, but it is really important to prioritize it in times like these.  It is easy to get lost in your workload and college submissions, but you should take time out of each day to get moving, whether that be a 5-minute walk or an intense HIIT workout. With endorphins rushing, stress will decrease, leading to more productivity.

“The college process can be really stressful during your senior school year, and it’s really important to set aside time for your mental health and make sure there’s one thing in your day that makes you happy,” said Schreiber alumni Bella Feigin. 

It is important to stay on top of all of your school work while also finding time in your day to work on your college applications and distributing your work load throughout the week can be a big help to avoid work pile up.  One thing you can do is make a schedule, but remember that it only works if you commit to sticking to it.  Also, small things like getting school work done well before the due date will help you avoid the common habit of procrastination, which can be a dangerous routine to fall into, especially this year. 

“I set up a schedule for myself where I prioritized school work with deadlines, and tried finding 30 minutes to an hour a day to work on college stuff, so it wouldn’t pile up.  I also always made sure to take breaks in between all of my work, such as eating a snack, to reinforce positive behavior and keep myself motivated,” said Schreiber alumni Emily Benson-Tyler. 

Organization is also a wise thing to prioritize and master in your final year of high school, if you have never really been an organized person.  Color coordinating different notebooks and folders for each subject or having a physical and mental outline of the things you have to do when you get home from school are all things you will thank yourself for later.  Organization will help you stay motivated and prevent you from falling behind.

“My biggest suggestion would be to try to stay on top of all of your school work way ahead of when it may be due, and then you will have so much more free time to work on college applications.  The biggest thing that helped me was getting a planner and listing all the things I had to do every day, and seeing when I had free time to work on college,” said Schreiber alumni Bethany Ekeize. 

During the school year, it can be hard to consider things like these because it may feel like you don’t have the time or energy.  Staying organized, getting exercise, and scheduling your week,  is bound to produce an enormously positive outcome.