As graduation creeps closer, the pressure on seniors is starting to feel real. What should be one of the most exciting times of high school is also turning into a mix of deadlines, big decisions, and emotional goodbyes. 

“It honestly hit me out of nowhere. One second I’m chilling at the start of senior year, and now I’ve got graduation requirements, college decisions, and my parents asking what I’m doing with my life every five minutes. It’s a lot,” said senior Brigham Burns.

Between keeping grades up and figuring out the future, it feels like there is no real break. And it’s not just schoolwork. There’s also the pressure of making the “right” choice after high school.

“Everyone makes it seem like this is the biggest decision ever. College and trade school, it’s like whatever you pick defines your whole future. That’s stressful when you’re still figuring out who you are. I’m not sure if I even know what I wanna do yet,” said senior Cardon Hadley.

That pressure of making decisions can definitely get overwhelming. On top of that, seniors are also dealing with the emotional side of leaving everything behind like friends, routines, and the comfort of what they’ve known for years.

“I’m excited to graduate, but also kind of sad. You don’t really think about how fast it goes until it’s basically over. That part stresses me out more than anything,” said senior Grady John.

Ironically, the stress of graduation can be detrimental to grades. Make sure to set aside time in your day to ensure that you are good to graduate. Graduating is something you will never regret, and that is important.