photo credit: Grant Ruof
As the new school year settles in, a new class of seniors enter the halls of the high school. While fall is the start of seasonal drinks and Halloween decorations going up too early, it also marks the beginning time period for college applications for the class of 2026 seniors.
“I’ve been utilizing my notes and calendar app just so I can compartmentalize all my assignments and deadlines. This way I feel like I’m still in control over the applications and don’t feel like I’m getting overly behind,” senior Ayana Mehta said.
A major difference between this year’s seniors and seniors from the last five years though, is that this class of seniors are the first to experience a normal high school experience after the COVID pandemic in 2020.
“The aftermath of quarantine did have a slight effect on freshman year. The fact that it was our first ‘normal’ year since sixth grade was a drastic change. It probably was a change for many students socially due to no masks or restrictions. I do think it made people really excited for large events like homecoming, football games and such,” senior Gracelyn Quaye said.
While COVID seems like ages ago, it has really been only five years. Many traditions for high schoolers in general had to be canceled or altered because of it, and after a couple of years have passed, the aftershocks of quarantine have been calmed down. One example of this, is the fact that most universities have dedicated to making testing like the SAT and ACT mandatory for admissions.
“I am grateful that COVID did not impact our grade’s high school experience. Having the opportunity to attend school functions has been great, and some of my best memories are from football games,” senior Samira Kandhari said.
Though college applications are an astronomical part of senior year, there is a lot more to it than just grinding away on Common App.
“I plan to do everything ‘senior’ because I’ve always looked forward to them as a kid. I’m most looking forward to the first event, which is senior sunrise, and the last event, which is senior picnic,” Quaye said.
Every year, seniors lean into the role of a leader, whether it be for a team sport or a school club; they’re expected to be role models for the underclassmen.
“My advice for freshmen would be to try everything in high school. The activities that have shaped me the most have been ones that I would have never expected. Don’t let the fear of judgement from others hold you back from meeting new people and finding your passions,” Kandhari said.
While quarter one hasn’t even ended yet, this last year for seniors will whiz by past them before they can even blink. And each senior class leaves an impact at school, even if it’s just an individual senior and their underclassmen friends or the senior class as a whole.
“Honestly, I feel like as a whole class we’re big overachievers. In general, my class has always done the most not just academic wise but also for the community through our various extracurriculars and club activities,” Mehta said.
It may right now seem like the beginning of the end for seniors, but in actuality it’s really the start of a whole new chapter in their life as young adults.
“It’s bittersweet since we’ll be leaving the comfort of a structured school and the people we’ve known for the majority of our lives. However, I am extremely excited for college and all the new experiences that are waiting for me,” Mehta said.
