Senior year of high school is often thought of as the most memorable year and exciting time in a student’s educational career, but for many, it is also the most stressful. The pressure seniors go through to make the most of their final year before graduation — combined with college applications, making money, and other responsibilities — can be overwhelming for students. 

In your senior year of high school, there are many obstacles for mental health. In school and out, there are things often worried about. The most obvious is the standard schoolwork seniors must complete to graduate, but another graduation requirement is the senior project. The senior project is a long process in which failure is unacceptable, which seems to be looming over the heads of students for months since the beginning of senior year. 

Another obvious factor adding to the stress is college. Some students may not be planning on attending college in their future, but for those who are, college applications and acceptances contribute to very stressful times. Senior Avery Hurwitz describes his college application stress experience, saying, “I think about it all the time and it can interfere with my daily life.”

As graduation and college approach seniors quickly, they need to begin thinking about their financial situation if they haven’t already. College can cost a lot of money, and since nobody wants to go into their final high school summer without money, most seniors work during the school year, adding to the full plate of work seniors already have. 

With all of this work that seniors have over their heads, there comes the effects of stress. All the stress and overworking students suffer from can lead to many sleepless nights and even mental health issues like depression. When asked about how stress affects her, senior Polina Wright stated that she felt “worn out” by all the work schools give. 

As a way to counter this stress as a senior, Wright said, “Just taking a little bit of time out of each day to focus on myself is a great way to balance stress and mental health. Going outside even just for a 15 minute walk is a great way to clear your mind to relieve anxiety.” She also advised incoming seniors that “being organized is so important for your mental health. It allows for your brain … not to worry about what is due and when you have to do it because it gives your brain structure.”

Seniors encounter a lot of stress, and it is very important to get ahead of it before the effects start catching up to you. Balancing stress and prioritizing your mental health is not an exceedingly difficult thing to do, and taking time for yourself and staying organized are great tips you can use to manage your stress. Incoming seniors should be aware of the potential stressors they may face and make a plan to manage them. Overall, while senior year can be challenging, it is also an extremely valuable opportunity for growth and preparation for the future.