The Unofficial Official Guide to Senior Year
Senior year doesn’t ease you into anything. It just happens.
For the first three years at CSH, school felt entirely manageable. I learned the system, I studied the teachers, so I already knew what to expect. I got reminders, I got chances, and most importantly I got comfortable.
Then senior year came, and what I was used to was now unexpected.
Deadlines started overlapping, college applications became a full time job. Teachers expected you to already know how to manage everything, and somehow you’re supposed to be planning your future while being on crunch time until 11:59.
Senior year doesn’t ease you into anything. It just happens.
When I started my senior year, it felt like the expectations changed overnight. It wasn’t harder academically for me, but the stress that showed up in how little I sleep, how often I feel overwhelmed and how easy it was to fall behind reflected on the impacts on my current senior year. I would like to share what the last year of Comp Sci High is really like, not only for the seniors, but for everyone in the CSH community.
The Expectation Jump
Senior year is really when school stops holding your hand. We are expected to manage your own time, track our own deadlines and stay on top of everything without the constant 9th grade reminders.
What that looked like for me:
Writing down my deadlines the second every assignment was posted
Checking my Google Classroom constantly because missing one post could mess everything up.
Planning big assignments weeks ahead instead of waiting until the last minute.
Realizing that if I missed something, it was on me, no one else.
Once I accepted that nobody was going to constantly remind me about everything anymore, I had to change how I handled school. Planning ahead didn’t make senior year easy, but it made it incredibly less stressful so far.
Honors College Prep
When you reach your junior year you will receive an email: “Honors College Prep.”
I was that student.
I read the email and instead of dismissing it, I chose to apply not knowing if I'd get picked or not. Whether you think you’d be picked or skipped, please apply. Senior year feels like a lot already with college applications and HCP gives you the structure when everything feels overwhelming.
When I applied I really didn’t know what I was getting into, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I have ever made so far.
Getting accepted into the program doesn’t mean you are set automatically; you’ve got to put in work yourself.
How To Actually Make HCP Work:
When Mr Meyers assigns you to a certain time, please attend.
People who just didn’t “show up” got put on a 3 strikes system
If things occur, communicate, Meyers doesn’t bite.
Take HCP seriously, it’s just as important as your regular classes.
When you do attend, use the time to actually work.
Both Johandy and I have been in HCP since 11th Grade, and honestly, apply even if you think you won’t get in. HCP isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, staying organized, and being incredibly committed to college.
Getting Pulled Out Of Class Means RESPONSIBILITY!
If you’re in HCP or even just in general, you’re going to see yourself get pulled out of class almost every week. As an example, Johandy and I are mostly in the computer lab working on college applications while Ms. Joseph is teaching our AP African American Studies class. This means missing lessons and assignments, and while of course all of our teachers understand why we miss them, they aren’t gonna chase us. It’s our own responsibility to catch up on any missing work.
How To Avoid Dropped Grades:
Get into habit of emailing or even G-chatting teachers before you miss class.
Ask them exactly what work you’re missing and when or how you can make it up.
Ask for a check in to have a one on one with the specific teacher.
For me, I’ve really only missed 5th and 6th period, and because of this I have learned that Mr. Ryan and Ms. Joseph are very understanding when you communicate early and take accountability. But, this doesn’t mean your other 12th grade teachers won’t be as receptive.
The Unrealistic Expectations
As an underclassmen, senior year looks so fun, trips, events it all looks rewarding, but, the journey to that road as of now is shaky. I am not as sure as to how it's been for previous school years but for us they stack and consider attendance, grades and behavior into how much you’re deserving of the senior events.
I’ve been late a fair amount of times, maybe 7 times in this entire year, and every single time I remember how much I have to lose. If you happen to be the student who comes late everyday you might want to change your habits, they are not as lenient as you would want them to be. If you need to be late, communicate, learn that now, start now. Absent, don’t worry, communicate. It's all about communication.
Everyone looks forward to a nice senior prank, after all it’s your last year in this school so you’d wanna exit with a bang. A select number of students so far have been ripped off the privileges you see and want because of your prank. Senior waterpark trip, gone. Advisory trip’s, all gone. There’s nothing you can do. When you enter your year, don’t make the same mistake, do the prank, it's fun but take precaution as to what you do. If it sounds extreme, don’t do it.
Academic infractions are not out of the ordinary. Underclassmen should already know plagiarism is tallied big in this school. No matter how lost you are, don't cheat. Office hours are a thing and teachers stay back just to make sure you know what you need to know.
As a senior, enter your year already knowing that they tally up everything, don’t be late, don’t disrespect, don’t cheat on work. One simple mistake can cause you the year of being by yourself while everyone has fun. While I can’t tell you what to do, you should want what's best for yourself. It’s your last year have the experience, don’t take it for granted.
Don’t Do Senior Year Alone
Even though senior year pushes independence, you're not meant to figure everything out by yourself. CSH gives us the greatest thing ever which is having advisors. Mr. Magaldi has been someone I've sought out guidance from. Our advisors went through this before, and seeing you grow from 14-18 is such a beautiful thing, so ask them for help if you really need it.
If you feel as if your advisor doesn’t have your best interest at heart, there is an amazing culture team: Mr. Smartt, Ms. Jude and Ms. Estevez. They are here to help, no matter your past or problem. Being able to talk things out with a trusted adult makes you realize that everyone is overwhelmed at some point just in different fonts.
Final Thoughts
From our personal experience, senior year at CSH is stressful, overwhelming, and exhausting but it also forces you to grow fast. You learn how to manage your time, emotions, responsibilities and pressure in ways you didn’t have to before.
For underclassmen, this is your heads up. For us seniors, it's a reminder that you're not crazy for feeling overwhelmed. With organization, communication, and support, senior year is survivable and honestly, you come out stronger.