If I could give one piece of advice to incoming seniors, it would be to calm down. Seriously. Senior year feels super overwhelming before it starts because everyone makes it sound like the most stressful year ever. And yes, there are definitely stressful moments, especially with college applications and trying to figure out your future, but it’s also one of the most fun and memorable years you’ll have.

One thing I wish I knew earlier was how important it is to genuinely research colleges before applying. Don’t just apply somewhere because, everyone else is, or because of the school’s name. Look into the campus, the environment, the programs, and whether you can actually see yourself there. It makes the whole process way less stressful when you focus on what’s right for you instead of comparing yourself to everyone else.

Another thing I learned this year is that your plan might not go exactly how you imagined and that’s okay. Sometimes you don’t get into the school you wanted, sometimes your decisions change, and sometimes life just surprises you. There’s always going to be a Plan B, even if you can’t see it right away. At the end of the day, everyone has their own path, and things usually work out the way they’re supposed to.

Also, please enjoy senior year. Don’t spend the whole time stressing about the future and forget to actually live in the moment. Go join that club you’ve been wanting to join, participate in spirit week, take pictures with your friends, and get involved in all the senior activities, because they end up being the memories you’ll miss the most. Senior year goes by way faster than people say it does, so try to make the most of it while you can.