The Launch Mission has historically focused on high school seniors and their journey through their final year of high school, but now we would like to reach out to current juniors (Class of 2025) to begin equipping you for the challenges of life after high school.
This post will present five things that juniors can start doing now to begin preparing.
Pick a School that Matches Your Future, Not Your Past: Many children grow up loving a particular university, wearing the shirts, and cheering for the team. Often, this is a family fan club, and many decide from a young age that they will one day attend that school. This works out well for some but not for all. Many students go to the college of their past instead of the one that matches their future. Here is what we mean.
Some people fit into a smaller university setting, while others fit into a larger campus. Some need a more nurturing environment, while others need to avoid inevitable distractions. Some universities are better for specific majors, while others have great community environments. The point is that not all universities are the same. There is a massive difference in priorities for a fan of a school and a student on a campus. Be sure you know the difference before you commit and plan to enroll.
Begin Living Independently but Dependent at Home: You are about to enter your last year of high school, and if you are moving away for school, it’s your last year to live at home as a child in the house. For most, you will move off to college in a little over a year and be completely independent. It sounds good, and it is great if you are ready.
Our recommendation is for you to learn how to live independently this year while still living (somewhat) dependently on your family. This should involve a conversation with your parents and some expectations determined, but this will give you the best chance to start strong as you enter your senior year of high school.
Examples of living independently dependent include waking up on your own, keeping up with your schedule, managing your time and money well, and remaining responsible for your responsibilities while still living under the authority (and safety net) of your parents and family.
Subscribe to The Launch Mission Podcast and Blog: This is far more than a shameless plug. The Launch Mission Team works hard to generate the content and resources that will help you make a healthy life transition from high school to college. This blog and the podcast will give you insight, counsel, information, guidance, and support as you journey through your senior year. We recommend checking it out now and looking back at previous episodes to see how you can begin this journey, even before the senior year begins. You can listen and subscribe to the podcast on any major podcast channel or click the Podcast link in the menu on The Launch Mission website.
Make a List of Last Things for Your Senior Year: Your senior year will be here before you know it, and this time next year, it will be almost over. There are many “Last Things” to experience during senior year. Make a list of those things now so you don’t miss them.
Commit Now Not to Check Out of Your Senior Year – Engage Fully & Enjoy: Sometime in kindergarten, you were told that you would be in the Class of 2025. At the time, that year seemed like a lifetime away. You have looked forward to 2025 for over a decade, and it is almost here. The problem with many seniors is that they look forward to becoming seniors for so long, but then, once the senior year comes, they look past it to the next chapter of life.
Don’t miss your senior year! Instead, commit to staying present throughout the year to enjoy this last year of high school. This means that you will fully engage yourself in what is happening and be active in what you have always been involved in. Do not let senioritis take over and steal the joy of being a high school senior.