Since kindergarten, our teachers have been telling us that 2025 is the year we graduate, the year we become adults, the year we start doing things on our own. It felt so far away when we were six, but here we are. Senior year can bring so many emotions, sadness, excitement, and even anxiety for some people.
¨Seniors will experience a variety of emotions during their last year in high school, especially during that last semester. Seniors are starting to be exhausted with the day-to-day of finishing senior year and ‘senioritis’ officially kicks in. They will battle with these feelings along with the pressure of having to finish senior year academically strong, as that final semester still matters. Seniors will also be feeling the anxiety and excitement of what the future holds. Decisions, for the most part, should be made as far as what that post-graduation plan looks like. The stress of finalizing and moving forward with these goals should be at the top of their priority list,¨ said Jennifer Kucera-Short, a counselor at Wheeling Park High School.
The sadness of growing up can overtake many, especially as graduation day approaches. The idea of leaving your family and friends may bring sadness to many students.
¨I’m sad that senior year is coming to an end, because I don’t get to see my favorite people every day and I have to start fresh and build a future for myself,¨ said Kaylee Stout, senior at Wheeling Park High School.
¨I’m more sad about not seeing the people that I am friends with and leaving Ms. Jeffers,¨ said Hayden Leech.
Although the sadness of leaving behind the only thing we’ve ever known can be overwhelming, the anxiety that comes from trying something new and becoming your own person can also bring excitement. For others, it’s about going to new places, meeting new people, and getting out of your comfort zone.
¨I’m excited for my senior year to be over, I’m ready to go to college, play football, and just be able to go to the next level,¨ said AJ Seals, senior at Wheeling Park High School.
¨The end of senior year is bittersweet, but I am looking forward to the new journey that I’ll be on in the next chapter,¨ said Gianna Landis, senior at Wheeling Park High School.
Although many seniors don’t know how to feel about leaving and starting a new chapter In their lives. Feeling excited and sad about senior year Is a very normal thing and many students understand that feeling of many emotions.
¨I’m nervous that I’m going to have to start fresh and make new friends but I’m also excited for that, so It’s a very bittersweet feeling,¨said Rylie Braunlich, senior at Wheeling Park High School.
¨I’m excited to go to college but I’m sad that I am going to miss all my friends and memories made in high school,¨ said Noah Short.
While senior year brings many emotions, getting through the last semester can be tough for many seniors. Finding a way to get through the days when you just want to go home is very important.
“I am getting through senior year by taking half days and drinking energy drinks,¨ said Bryn Ernest.
¨I’m getting through the last semester by not pressuring myself too much and I get around to things when I can and manage my time the best I can. And also have a good attitude about it and not a bad one,¨ said Kaitlin Ortiz, senior at Wheeling Park High School.
