A Senior Seminar

Just as the Freshman Seminar helps new students adjust to high school life, the Senior Seminar will help graduating seniors prepare for the next stage in life.

We are proposing a new, optional elective course that will make the post–high school transition as smooth as possible. In addition to guidance through the college application process, the course will tackle life skills like budgeting, taxes, financial literacy, applying for jobs and planning a career. For seniors looking for more support to prepare for their future, taking this class will help ensure success in leaving Franklin and entering adulthood.

Scared Seniors

Seniors have so many things to juggle and think about,

...everything from applying to college, choosing our majors, staying on top of our coursework — all on top of trying to enjoy our last year of being a high schooler.

We should know. When we (the seniors proposing the course) were first trying to come up with an idea for a community service project in our Civics class, we couldn't come up with anything, mainly because we were all in the midst of finishing our college essays and didn't have much time to give to our regular classes. We noticed that many other students had the same problem, and felt there had to be a way to improve how seniors get support in their final year.

This course is our answer. Considering that this is one of the most critical (and difficult) years of our lives, it would make sense to create a space specifically for navigating the unique problems and challenges we face.

We first discussed our idea with our classmates to get some initial feedback, but it was very important to us that we were including ideas not only from our small group, but from as many students and staff members as possible.

To test our idea, we conducted a survey research project by sending out a Google Form that was featured in the Daily News.

The majority of respondents supported the idea. While our response rate was roughly 17% of the school, the people who responded were mainly juniors and seniors—the people who we were targeting. We found that roughly three out of four respondents said that they would take the seminar. About 1 in 5 said they might, and less than 5% said they were not interested. The primary reasons students gave for not being interested was that they had NOCCA and could not fit it into their schedule or they did not intend on going to college.

We are formally proposing a Senior Seminar course for next year.

We are advocating for a course that:

• Is optional

• Is participation-graded

• Walks us through the college application process

• Discusses how to choose potential majors and future jobs

• Covers "adulting tips" in the second semester

Trade-offs

• In order to take this course, you might have to sacrifice your Senior Study Hall.

• It would take up one of your elective slots.

• NOCCA students might not be able to take it.

Benefits

• The course would clear up the major misconceptions about the college application process while also providing dedicated one-on-one time to discuss individual college questions. 

• The course would touch on financial aspects of  being an independent college student, better preparing us for success outside of the classroom.

• The course would increase equity at the school by providing college support to all seniors who want it — not just the students who have the time, space, privilege and access to get support.