Tips and Advice for Future Seniors

As I finish up my senior year, I’ve been reflecting on everything I wish I’d known sooner. Here are some practical tips, helpful resources, and personal advice to help make your journey a bit smoother.

Resources:

1. Look into the SREB Tuition Exchange

This one’s a game-changer. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) allows students to attend an out-of-state school for in-state tuition if their desired major isn’t offered in their home state. I didn’t hear about this until it was almost too late—and with how expensive out-of-state tuition can be, this could allow you to attend a top choice while saving you so much money. Definitely check if your major qualifies!

2. Local Scholarships Are a Hidden Gem

The Community Foundation of Howard County offers many scholarships just for local students, from academics to athletics to religious affiliations. It’s legit, targeted, and often less competitive than national ones.

3. Look It Up—You’re Not Alone

There were so many forms I had no idea existed until I was suddenly responsible for filling them out. The CSS Profile? IDOC? I had no clue what I was doing. I spent way too long trying to figure things out on my own when all I needed was a quick YouTube video. Once I finally searched for a tutorial, I had it done in under an hour. The moral of the story: don’t waste time struggling alone—there are tons of guides and walkthroughs out there, use them!

4. Check Your Email. Seriously.

This is the year your email becomes your lifeline. To keep things organized, make a separate email account just for anything college-related—FAFSA, Common App, school portals, etc.—so important messages won’t get buried under spam or promos.

5. Start Buying College Essentials Early

To help do things in smaller chunks, I recommend buying things for your dorm in parts. Even before you decide on a college, you already know you’ll need things like bedding, towels, shower shoes, a fan, desk supplies… so why not grab them throughout the year when you spot a sale? This will save you time and stress, especially when everyone starts buying everything at the same time and essentials become scarce. Just wait on things like decor or anything roommate-specific until you’ve officially committed and made a plan together.

6. Plan Events ASAP

Senior Week, prom, grad parties, spring break… they sneak up fast. Book, reserve, and plan early before life hits full speed. Trust me—future you will be so thankful you planned.

7. Tour colleges ESPECIALLY while class is in session

Touring schools is helpful, no matter when you go—but if you can, visit while classes are in session. I toured a few schools over the summer, and while the visit was nice, it was hard to get a real sense of student life with no one around. But when I visited schools during the school year,  I saw how lively the campus was, how students interacted, the diversity, and what the overall vibe felt like. I even walked up to a few random students and asked what they thought of their school—every single one was friendly and gave honest, helpful advice. It was a little nerve-wracking, but if you’re willing to ask, you’ll learn way more than any brochure or tour guide can offer.

My Unsolicited Advice:

Senior year is a wild ride—equal parts exciting, stressful, and emotional. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially with the sheer amount of writing that gets thrown your way. Between the main college essay, supplemental responses, and scholarship applications, it can feel like you’re constantly trying to pull inspiration out of thin air—all while keeping up with your regular schoolwork. 

That’s why my biggest piece of advice is this: don’t wait. Start early. Even if it’s just jotting down ideas or making a rough list of deadlines, taking small steps now will save you so much stress later.

And here’s something else I wish I’d heard more: everyone’s journey is different. Some students know their path right away, while others need more time to explore. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers yet. Don’t compare your journey to others; whether you plan to go to college, enter the workforce, take a gap year, join the military, or something entirely different, your success isn’t defined by a single path. What matters most is doing what’s best for you. Go where you’ll thrive. Do what excites you, and above all, trust that it will all work out– even if it doesn’t look how you originally imagined. 

So, to the future seniors reading this: take a deep breath, trust yourself, and enjoy the process. You’ve got this!

Congratulations to Class of 2025! Go Scorps!🦂