Regardless of any preconceptions you already have about senior year, know that everyone’s experience is different. Yes it is overwhelming at times but this will also be the year that you will see the most growth in yourself and your peers. This may be the first year where you will see people branch off and follow their own paths. There is no special formula for living senior year right. Most importantly do not feel inferior if you are considering an unconventional direction post-high school. Your scores, GPA, etc do not define you. It is important to move through senior year with your own well-being in mind; not just blindly applying where you THINK everyone else is applying. Yes you will be hesitant, frustrated, and you might second guess yourself, just keep a constant reminder that this too will pass. You are still kids and there is plenty of time to figure your lives out, even if there seems to be a lot of pressure to do it NOW.

As a visual arts major, many students wonder whether an arts career is right for them. My biggest advice is to trust the process - this can be applied in discovering your art style, your college interests, etc. In my experience I was drowning in work and AP’s my junior year on top of my AP art class which required a strong portfolio. As an incoming senior, consider easing up a little on school work, maybe rearrange your classes or utilize the free period because the first semester is tough. Even if you plan on applying to only a few colleges or aren’t planning on attending college at all, the visual departments require YoungArts, Scholastics, Florida State Fair, and other art competition submissions so your hands will be full.

Time management is crucial. My advice for senior year is work smarter not harder. In regards to art, if you have work or a concept that you developed your junior year, use those pieces or elaborate on the foundation you have already built. Prioritization of your time on things that matter will be vital to ensure you meet college, art, and homework deadlines. Research colleges early on, focus on your strong suits to guide your intended major (even if it’s only for applications, you can always change it later!), attend the college application workshops offered by the school, and set aside some time to fill out scholarships (DSOA and the foundation on their own offer thousands of $... most of the information you fill out on applications can be recycled or reworded from your earlier applications). Always ask for help and talk to your teachers. The annual distress of seniors is nothing new to them and most will be willing to extend a deadline or two or let you retake a quiz later. Talk to your guidance counselors. What I found worked best was to catch them during lunch and keep them updated on what you are working on. Don’t be afraid to ask many questions, college applications are tedious with many technical details counselors may forget to mention. My mindset going into Senior year was to not be afraid to try. Apply to your reach school, apply to outside art exhibits, make work that is more spontaneous so that when you look back you can proudly say that there wasn’t an opportunity you didn’t at least attempt.

Just as importantly, do not hesitate to take time for yourself. Mental well-being is crucial in the long run to prevent burn out before your second semester. This is your last chance to surround yourself with the people you love, try new things, and embrace what being a senior is all about. Responsibility does not mean fall into despair. Despite the unfortunate ending of Class of 2020, I believe I lived Senior year the way I wanted to while I still had the chance. Hopefully yours will have a little more time.

Good luck Class of 2021, you all are bright and I am certain of your success. Know you are not alone in this and so many graduating years of students were in your same shoes.

Michelle Serafimovich