It may be a new calendar year, but if you are a senior, you are right in the middle of a really important year. Have you made a decision about what you are doing after high school? If not, do not fret! There is still plenty of time to seek out assistance and make a decision. Don't forget, there are many people at the school who can help you. Your first stop should be with your assigned school counselor (not sure who that is? Check out our website: https://www.hershey.k12.pa.us/domain/421). You can also schedule a time to talk with me, the college and career counselor. We can talk about different options, and I can help set up meetings with admission representatives, help connect you with some work experience, or do some assessments to see where we should start.
Another great place to seek out assistance is from a trusted adult in your life. This may be your parents, grandparents, a teacher, coach, etc. If you know an adult, they have been through some similar things and have had to make some tough decisions too! Ask where they started their search? How did they get started in their career? What kind of education did they pursue or wish they pursued? I know we don't always seem like we understand what is going on, but trust me, high school and making decisions about life after high school was hard.... even years ago!
Don't forget... there is still time to apply for college, if that is the path you are choosing. And still time to apply for scholarships! Many schools have rolling admission, but it is a good idea to get things started soon. You don't want to miss out on opportunities for not only admission but also money (remember, it costs money to go to school after high school!). You also should work on filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa) . You can find a listing of scholarships on our school counseling website. If you have questions about scholarships, reach out to Ms. VanZant. Also, don't forgot, many schools are not requiring standardized test scores to be submitted. Some schools may require scores for a specific major, but the majority of schools are not using scores for admission or financial aid. I met with a lot of admission representatives this fall, so if you have a question about a specific school, let me know!
Finally, we all know that senior year is very important, but it is also your senior year. Your classmates are probably people you have grown up with. Although we all have to be careful, don't forget to enjoy your last year in high school. Do something new! Try something different! Don't forget your school work, but still try to retain those special relationships with your peers, teachers and family.