Senior year has started to feel like a strange kind of limbo. On one hand, I’m still in high school and keeping up with classes, assignments, and exams. On the other hand, I’m already being pulled into college and making decisions that will impact the rest of my undergraduate degree. 

That divide is becoming more noticeable with AP season approaching. Many classes have started assigning full, graded mock exams, which means cramming months of material into a short period of time just to be ready. While I appreciate the practice, it adds another layer of pressure. 

And while those academic demands are building, college responsibilities don’t pause. There are placement exams to complete, such as the ALEKS math exam, and important decisions about course selection coming up soon. Being part of a program like UTD’s DMHP means those timelines start even earlier, which is making it feel like college has already begun before high school has ended. 

Even outside of academics, that sense of overlap continues. Even though graduation is still a month away, I am now expected to plan for graduation, take senior pictures, or prepare for grad parties. They might seem minor compared to exams and deadlines, but they still matter. 

Before I Lea-ve, 

Take everything one day at a time.