Your high school experience is nearly over, and you’re going to start college in the Fall – congratulations on all of your amazing achievements! But don’t stop thinking about your education even though you’ve completed your college applications and may have even heard back from a few schools. Follow our senior checklist of all the things you’ll want to tackle in the next five to six months through graduation.
Keep Senioritis at Bay
Senioritis is REAL! You’ve done all the hard work – applied to colleges, worked hard in school. But now you may feel a lack of motivation when it comes to schoolwork and responsibilities. After all, your college applications are submitted, you’ve done the best you can do, right?
Wrong. Colleges do look at your final senior semester! And, if you do poorly enough, some may revoke their acceptance letters. If you fail your classes, you could even fail your entire senior year and delay graduation. Giving into senioritis can also set you up with some bad habits just before you get into college.
Need to some ideas to keep you going? “How to Beat High School Senioritis” has some great tips!
Choose a College
Of course, you’ll also have to choose where you want to go to school. If you applied under Early Decision, you’ve already made that choice so you don’t have to worry about this one. If you applied under Early Action or Regular Decision, though, you have until May 1st to notify your colleges.
As your acceptance letters start coming in, you should be heavily weighing your options. Compare the schools again, visit the college campuses, check out what alumni are saying (especially about recently implemented remote learning options), and think very carefully about what school would work best for you. You may discover that the college you choose in the end wasn’t your original choice.
Start Planning for College
Use these final months leading up to graduation (and the summer) to start planning for college! That means:
- Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Applying for scholarships. Use our scholarship search tool if you need help.
- Scheduling your college orientation.
- Making lists for supplies, both for your classes and dorm room.
- Considering work study if eligible.
- Thinking about classes you want to take.
- Thinking about how you want to decorate your dorm room.
Celebrate
And, finally, take some time to celebrate your achievements. You’re graduating high school after all, and it’s a big cause of celebration for anyone. Plan a party, head out with friends, or spend some time with family members. It could be as simple as going out to eat one evening. Whatever it is though, be sure you’re giving yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
4.99% - 16.85% Variable
3.47% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
