Handle Your Biz, Thank Your People, and End on a High Note!
Ah, May. The sun is shining, the yearbook quotes are flying, and the smell of freedom is almost in the air. But before you break into your end-of-year victory dance, let’s make sure you cross the finish line. Here’s your no-nonsense checklist to wrap up senior year without accidentally sabotaging your future self.
✅ 1. Finish Strong (Yes, Your Grades Still Matter)
Even if your college apps are in and acceptances are posted on the fridge, those final transcripts still get sent to colleges. Nobody wants to explain “senior slide” to the admissions office.
Pro Tip: Teachers are more likely to help you out before you fall off the academic cliff.
✅ 2. Say Thank You (Like, Actually Say It)
Did someone write you a recommendation letter? Advocate for you? Proofread your essays? Thank them. A heartfelt note (or a small gift if you’re fancy) goes a long way—and keeps doors open for future references.
✅ 3. Check Your Email (Yes, That One You Never Open)
Colleges, counselors, and scholarship committees will still send updates, requests, and reminders—through email. If you ghost them, you might miss something important (like housing assignments or forms with deadlines). CHECK DAILY!
✅ 4. Complete Your Final College To-Do List
Every college has a “Next Steps” checklist. This may include:
Submitting your Intent to Enroll (May 1)
Sending in your final transcript request
Submitting official ACT/SAT scores if they were self- reported on your application
Signing up for orientation
Choosing housing and meal plans
Reviewing financial aid awards and accepting/declining loans
Registering for and taking any placement tests
Don’t know where that list is? Log into your college portal. It’s there.
✅ 5. Return School Stuff (or Pay Up)
Missing books, Chromebooks, uniforms, or library fines can delay your diploma. Graduation = adulting lite, and schools don’t hand out diplomas to fugitives from the textbook police.
✅ 6. Keep Parents in the Loop- Create/ Sign: FERPA, HIPAA, Health Care Proxy, and Power of Attorney
FERPA is done through the college and allows parents to see grades and interact with advisors/faculty if necessary. HIPAA allows for parental access to medical records and lab results. A Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney allow parents to make decisions if their child is incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. I suggest Mama Bear Legal Forms as an easy, inexpensive way to get this done www.mamabearlegalforms.com.
✅ 7. Financial Aid- Formally Accept Your Award
You must let colleges know what offered aid you are accepting (even merit) so they can apply it to your account. If you haven’t already filled out the FAFSA, I strongly suggest doing so now. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, filing will make it possible to have future needs considered if something unexpected happens. Without this safeguard you may not have access to future aid or it could be significantly delayed.
✅ 8. Naviance/SCOIR/College Career Readiness Platforms
Update your school account with your admissions and final college selection. This allows your high school to send your final transcript to the right place and the updated data helps build future scattergrams.
✅ 9. Google Drive
Transfer everything out of your personal school account. At some point over the summer this account will be deactivated and you will lose access to all of the contents FOREVER. You never know what papers and projects may relate to future assignments and learning.
✅ 10. Soak It In
This is the last time you’ll walk these halls, cram for these finals, or awkwardly high-five someone in your cap and gown. Whether high school was the best four years of your life or just a warm-up lap, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come.
You've got this, Class of 2025. Finish well, finish proud—and don’t forget to turn in your library books.
