As I quickly approach my senior year, I feel the flood of college applications, essays, extensions, projects, and summer homework enveloping my supposed summer “break”. But what is it really a break from? My summers tend to be busier than my school years, planned to perfection during the months of April and May. Once I reach my second semester of senior year, I swear, I’m done. No more hard work, no more all-nighters. I will have a case of senioritis – which may or may not be a good thing.

Throughout high school, I have worked and worked to get good grades and become successful. In my second semester of senior year, I want to slack off and have some fun! Unfortunately, the fun comes at a price. My grades will drop if I choose to watch a movie instead of studying for my Psychology test. And when grades significantly drop, colleges can choose to revoke your entrance to that school. Maybe complete senioritis isn’t such a good idea… But what can we do to still make our last year in high school memorable?

There is always a give and take. Just because you’re a second semester senior, it doesn’t mean that you can completely forget about schoolwork. At the same time, you don’t have to give up all the fun events that are planned. Likewise, you don’t have to stay up all night to study for your tests the next day (because you’re a senior!). As long as your grades don’t drop to rock bottom, you’ll be able to have fun, stay in college, and keep your grades up (and your parents happy!).

Now there’s the question about those AP exams. I will be taking four AP classes next year – certainly something I wish I didn’t do, looking back at it. But taking all those AP exams is going to be tough, especially at the end of my high school career. Fortunately, those exams can prevent us from taking certain college courses, so studying up (even when you want to go out) is better in the long run.

Overall, it’s not impossible to have a good time during your senior year. If you plan your events in the right way, you can have fun and still do well in school.