Going into senior year, I expected things to be what I call, “slight work”. I expected all my classes to be easy sailing. I expected all As and Bs with little to no effort put in. I expected my general eight hours of sleep at night. And I expected to hang out with my friends after school.

Unfortunately, senior year- for me, at least- isn’t like what everyone told me it would be. There is the stress of meeting family expectations while balancing out my own goals, the stress of getting into my dream college, the stress of not knowing what I should do in college, and so much more.

Let’s start from the beginning of the year. First off, for me, it’s confusing to stay on top of the many due dates and deadlines. First, it’s writing your college essay and making sure it’s good for submission. Right after that, you have to get your transcripts in with all the extra things that come with it. Also, keep in mind having to take the SAT and study for it. “But wait there’s more!” There’s filling out college applications. And don’t get me started on the price of being a senior. So far, since school started, I have spent over $100, and I still have more money to pay before this school year is over. I still have big events and expenses such as senior dues, prom, and graduation wear. What I’m realizing is that you basically have to pay to graduate.

There’s having to face the criticism of telling people that you actually are unsure of what to do in college, and having to hear remarks like, “You’re a senior you should know by now.” The same question still lingers in my mind when I think about college: Am I ready? Am I ready for the harder classes that will consume my time? Can I handle the pressure? What if a pick a major and doesn’t work out, what then? Am I truly ready to move from the comfort of my own home and family to be on my own? From all the things I’ve heard, college is not like high school. Yes I’m ready to graduate and enter adulthood; but the thought that it’s all happened so fast is very frightening.