SENIOR FAREWELLS

Create memories

Senior year. One of the most challenging of all school years; the quickest, funniest, and saddest. And somehow I managed to surpass it all, and so can you. All you need are a few tips:

Take advantage of your summer to think about college. Teachers will tell you to begin your college essay or common app over the summer. Please don’t ignore them. They’re only looking out for you.

Consider words of wisdom. Throughout the year, it will be hard for you to keep focused. So look to your friends, a mentor, or anyone you feel will give you a couple of words to simply get you back on track.

Be positive. When the acceptance letters start rolling in, things won’t always go exactly as planned. But don’t doubt yourself. Fate will lead you in the right direction.

Have fun! Although senior year will be very stressful, remember to have fun. This is probably the last time you will see your classmates again. So live it up, and create memories.

Find a guiding light

Finally! The school year’s coming to a close. I’m writing this last article to give you, Boston’s youth, some advice on…life, I guess.

I hope you can find positive people in your life (if you don’t have any already); someone to look up to, guide you, and steer you from negative aspects. We all know living in a city can be dangerous, but it’s also easy to get involved in bad things, like drugs or becoming pregnant.

Get involved in something that keeps you off the streets, like sports.

On a less serious note, be nice to your teachers. They will be the ones writing recommendations when you apply for college.

Know thyself

During my four years of high school, I kind of found myself…for the most part. In the 9th grade you’re just getting used to the school and a change in the workload. In the 10th grade, you have a clique of friends established, but you still meet a lot of people that you eventually become close to. In the 11th grade, that’s where you learn who your true friends are. You learn who’s fake and who’s not. High school is the part of your life where you’re supposed to have fun. But it gets very stressful at times. Your senior year is where you give up a lot of people.

Gear up

Before I entered the world of high school, I was told to cherish the moments ahead because the four years would fly by -- which I discovered was true. But no one warned me about the drama or how I would have to discover my identity. Or even how the friends you made in the beginning might not be there in the end.

My message is this: Always remain true to yourself no matter what others may say. Also, academics and GPA equal incredible opportunities. Don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of your school work. I’m not going to lie to you: High school has many obstacles that will come your way. So, put your gear shield and a helmet on, because you will need it.

Doppler radar: Don’t leave home without it

The advice that I could give to high school teens today would be to check the weather before you leave the house. I can’t tell you how many times I realized that I forgot my jacket, or shouldn’t have brought it.

When taking the MBTA, if a bus driver is being rude, just get the ID number and report it.

Take AP classes because when you get to your senior year, it’s going to be clear about all the kids who took them, and those who didn’t.

Another piece of advice: Don’t be fooled by the kids in your class who act like they don’t care. They really do, and when your GPA drops, theirs will go up.

Also, if someone is getting on your nerves in school, and you want to fight them, don’t -- because it will come back to bite you in the end.

Keep it sexy

Senior year for me was really fun! I want you guys to have fun, too. You don't want a ton of school work your senior year because you have to deal with the college process. The fewer headaches, the better. As Pink Floyd would say, Don't let yourself be “just another brick in the wall.” Have fun, keep it cool, keep it smooth, and keep it sexy. Rock ‘n’ roll.