Time for seniors to stay motivated

Being a senior is not easy. It is a time in life between childhood and adulthood when you are tested on the ability to live on your own in the real world. College applications test seniors' dedication and challenge them to take a real look at themselves and put it on paper to be judged.

Now that the college application period is over, strong relief permeates through the senior class. But our work is not over. There are still scholarship forms to be filled out, the FAFSA to complete and classes to be passed.

The seniors have crossed a symbolic milestone, because from here on out, we are tying up loose ends and getting organized for the time when we cross the stage, pack up the car and leave.

River Valley High School senior Jessica Steers, when asked how she felt about leaving, said, "It seems that the time truly passed by quickly. Four years sounded so long back as a freshman, but so short now. I will be going off the college in the fall, and it will be an entirely new experience.

"Realizing that I am almost an adult makes me want to hold on to my childhood even longer, but at the same time, it makes me excited to know that the whole entire world can be at my fingertips if I just reach for it," Jessica said.

At this time of year, it is all too easy for seniors to get stuck in a rut. Senioritis spreads far and fast, but there are some things we can do to prevent it.

One way to stay motivated is to visualize what you are working for. A great way to do this is an inspiration board. A simple cork board filled with pictures of places you want to visit, great quotes and pictures of what you love will be a constant reminder of what it is you are trying for, what you are working for.

Another way to stay motivated is by building a support group. Just gather a group of your friends who have similar goals as you and challenge each other. A person to constantly be there to say, "Have you filled out that scholarship yet?" or "Did you study for your physics test?" will drive you to finish your high school days strong.

But the most important thing to remember is that even though high school seems like the entire world right now, a whole new world is just beginning. These next few coming years are going to be the best years of our lives.

This is the time to travel and learn and focus solely on yourself. Be selfish! Go to college for yourself; explore for yourself; have fun for yourself. Go crazy, for not long from now will come the time to settle down and get a job.

To quote a very smart man, Dr. Seuss: "Oh! The places you will go, the things you will see. And will you succeed? You will! You will indeed. Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed."

Manjinder Singh is a senior at River Valley High School. His column appears every six weeks in Education.