The final countdown has begun
Students walked the halls rejuvenated and ready for a new beginning. The classes have changed, personalities have altered and yet we still have another six months until the seniors of Lindhurst High School get to walk the stage and head off to college.
Six months may seem like a long time for some students, while to others it may seem like a milestone. I interviewed a few people, current seniors and a some alumni. I asked current seniors about the end of the year and the stresses that overcome them, and I asked alumni how they made it through the last six months of their senior year. I also asked the alumni for some advice to help get the current seniors past the six-month hump.
Daydra Martinez, a 2010 LHS graduate, said, "The last few months of high school, for me, were fun but the most difficult. As the end of the year grew nearer, I started to catch a bit of 'senioritis.' I was always a good student, but when you're a senior and the year is almost over, you're so caught up in the parties and ending your high school days with a bang.
"My advice is: Don't slack off just because the year is almost over. Have fun, but also stay on top of your work," Daydra added.
Another alumna, Jessika Calisterio, a 2010 graduate, said, "I didn't always come on top, and that was always OK for me. I wanted to do what it took to go to college, and in the end, it worked.
"My suggestion for all those seniors graduating this June: If you want to be a college student, act like one now," Jessika said. "Get some practice in before college really happens to you. Study for those tests, do your work thoroughly and strive to get the right answers. I wish I could have been more prepared, and you have the chance to — so please take advantage of that! Good luck!"
Sitting back and just thinking about the responsibilities we, as seniors, are going to encounter right after graduation may seem a bit scary. Not only is there pressure from family members, such as our parents, but pressure put on by ourselves.
Jasmine English, a senior at LHS, said, "I'm extremely excited to move on with my life and broaden my horizons, yet I'm nervous about taking that first step out into the real world all by myself. Just the excitement of graduating is going to help me to stay on track — no more 'senioritis' for me!"
Ashley Halcomb, another senior, added, " I am so excited for graduation, but at the same time, I don't want high school to end. Excitement about graduation can definitely distract us from doing our school work; we just have to learn how to be excited and stay focused at the same time. Some advice that I could give to students is to make the best of your senior year of high school."
We heard from four people, but they all had similar advice when it comes to graduation and senior year. Stay on track, stay focused, but at the same time, enjoy the time that you have with your friends.
Six more months, seniors, and we are out of here!
Ashley Hickey is a senior at Lindhurst High School. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.
