Senior year: a time to finally get premium parking, sleep late and slack off. Everyone takes easy classes and senioritis runs rampant—right? Right?!?

So far, I can’t say the stereotypes are very accurate. Sure, school hasn’t even been in session for four weeks, but I am fairly confident my senior year will not be rainbows and butterflies.

Since I am not in a zero hour class, parking is sparse by the time I arrive. I think I probably had to walk less last year to get into the building. All my yearlong electives, newspaper included, mean I will not have reduced schedule second semester. I’m taking three AP classes and five AP tests in May.

My senior experience might not seem typical, but I know plenty of other people juggling sports, jobs, AP classes, clubs and more. If you choose to take a “year off” before college or whatever you choose to do after graduation, kudos to you, but I figure I’ll just keep my streak going. I’m prepared to make the best out of my last year and take advantage of everything this school has to offer.

My fellow seniors, it may not seem like it, but graduation is just around the corner. And everyone else, no matter how many years you have left at Free State or what you choose to do with them, I hope this one is your best yet.