Searcy (LP) We are in the last semester of our high school career. Is that even possible?  I  have learned a lot of things  this year about my life. For those of you that will be in my shoes in the next  year, I have a few tips.

Tip number one: deadlines are actually important. I have learned this the hard way. College will not work with you on when things are due. Scholarships and application are due on the day they say. It does not matter if you want to turn it in three minutes late, they will not take it.

I think the best way to keep up with all the different deadlines is to have a planner or calendar somewhere. The only thing is you have to check that planner all the time, and you have to keep up with it.

Tip number two: Procrastination is not your friend. Although it may be appealing to wait till the last minute, do not do it. Grades are important this year even though you may not think that. When applying for colleges, they are going to look at your GPA which is based off of grades from all four years of high school.

My best advice is start working on things the day you get them, that way you do not have to do everything at one time. If you start it and work on it  a little at a time, it will take a shorter time to finish and will not stress you out.

Tip number three: Do things with your friends! Even though you are going to be super busy, try to set time aside for your friends and family. You are still in high school and  a kid. Don’t grow up before you have to.

Try doing things that you have never done before and set a bucket list for before college that way you can  start the new chapter of your life with no regrets. When looking back on high school, you will have those things to look back on and enjoy.

Tip number four: Go to your colleges. Take all the college tours you are allowed. They say it helps you better pick out colleges because you can actually tell if you like the college and people there instead of looking at a picture of it and deciding.

I have failed to do this and regret it. Some of my friends though have. They went to colleges that they never dreamed of actually enjoying for a tour and fell in love. Pictures can be deceiving.

Tip number five: Do not stress out. This is a hard piece of advice to give because I struggle with it. It is important to remember though that everything happens and will fall into place. That boy, that test, or even that college will all fade away and bigger and brighter things will come into the picture.

I try to just relax at least one night a week after I get finished with everything that day. I think that just taking thirty minutes to yourself to do something you enjoy without thinking of everything is good for the soul.

Try to remember these tips to help you during your senior year.