Stresses of the Senior Year

     Senior year is full of many memories and many lasts like school dances, sporting events, and club activities. But senior year is also full of many stresses. 
     At Chadron High, the stresses are real for seniors Kaci Waugh and April Hardy. Kaci states that her three top stresses this year are college visits during the busy school year, deadlines, and finding scholarships or other "free money." While April states that her top three stresses are applying to colleges with expensive application fees, finding motivation for anything, and wanting to be involved but being overwhelmed by a busy schedule. 
     As senior year approaches, many seniors find themselves thinking "I wish I would've....". Kaci wishes she would've taken college visits at the end of her junior year and the summer going into senior year. April wishes she would've saved more money, kept a better schedule, had better self-discipline, and planned ahead. Both seniors agree that the best advice for underclassmen is to get involved. It makes the "high school experience" so much more worthwhile. 
     Both seniors agree that a good way to cope with this stress is by talking to trustworthy adults like CHS guidance counselor, Mrs. Watson or parents. April goes into further detail and explains that ways she also copes with stress is napping, going outside, listening to music, watching her fish or petting her animals and lighting candles/incense. Mrs. Watson recommends that students talk to past CHS graduates who have "been there, done that." She believes that some good coping skills are to spend some time each day to reflect on both the positives and negatives, be able to accept support when you need it, and to spend quality time with the people you love. Stress is normal and natural, but too much stress can prevent you from reaching goals and being productive. Watson states, "If anyone at CHS feels that they need help and support coping with stress I want them to know they can always come to the guidance office. High school is just a pathway; the best experiences are yet to come."