In the final year of high school, burdened with extensive responsibilities and exams, students often need to remember to enjoy the true experience of senior year. By understanding this process, seniors can create lasting friendships and unforgettable memories that extend beyond academic achievements. Insights from past and current seniors serve as valuable resources for underclassmen to understand how to thrive in high school, while maintaining a realistic perspective.
Since the class of 2019, seniors have left tips and words of wisdom for future generations as plaques attached to the Bell (a gift from the 75th class), in order to promote empathy and resilience. By encouraging a positive environment for future generations, now-graduated Graded alumni leave a permanent lasting impression that will last for many years to come.
To guide rising juniors and seniors, some students have shared tips for navigating their new cycle. For example, Luiza Garcia ’24 highlights the need for rising juniors and seniors to recognize their own mistakes “as a flaw to be able to take action in avoiding it.” She explains how the various obstacles throughout her high school experience emphasize “how complex relationships [are] between people when we’re all growing up.” Garcia underscores how essential it is for one to continuously reflect throughout high school. After all, it is the time when one begins to learn who one is. Thus, learning “how to discipline ourselves and prioritize what’s truly important,” becomes crucial as this is the perfect time to “make mistakes over and over to learn from them.” However, despite the challenges that come with growing up, Garcia stresses that by learning and improving, the experience becomes easier.` Regardless of whether someone is taking the International Baccalaureate, or the American or Brazilian Diploma, the skills one gains from each of those courses are essential for life beyond classroom walls. For Garcia, that’s vital for a successful high school experience. Another lens to guide into senior year, is Banele Shangase ’24, according to him, it is necessary “to put your pride aside and ask for help from multiple people. Because at the end of the day, it’ll help you get a better understanding of your work but also build that connection with your teacher or peers.”
However, Garcia points out that high school isn’t just about struggles. At Graded, events are essential at fostering friendships and memorable experiences that (hopefully) will last forever. She references Classroom Without Walls (CWW), our school field trips, as “some of the best memories” of her life. But even in the nerve-racking period at the end of senior year, she emphasizes that in the last months they all “stood together as seniors, facing anxiety and tackling IB exams head-on but always as a community.”
For the seniors of the Class of 2025, the first four weeks of 12th grade have brought a mix of emotions. Whether they’re new students or Graded lifers, there is a shared idea that this new cycle has gotten “scary with deadlines and pressure to get into a good university or college.” Still, many students are looking forward to spending senior year with their friends and making new bonds. In the perspective of a Graded lifer, Gabriela Steagall ’25 stated “I’m excited to experience new things, being at school for so long has really limited my experiences, especially socially.” Through her perspective, one can feel encouraged to leave their comfort zone to enjoy senior year socially by making new friends and embracing new projects. Interestingly, the perspective of Wesley Lichtenauer ’25, a new student who joined the community this year, is also significant for incoming seniors. He remarked, “It’s gone much quicker than I realized.”
Another perspective comes from Gabriel Gomes ’25, who believes one should face senior year as “worth the effort” regardless of the challenges along the way. For the juniors, it’s a hard year, but it’s 100% worth it in the long run”. Ultimately, the word of wisdom from the class of 2025 to students is to “enjoy,” as cliché as it may sound.
Ultimately, one can best describe high school, with all its ups and downs, as “bittersweet”. As students reach the end of this chapter – one that is enjoyable but includes moments of harshness and even regret, the best approach is to embrace the fun times with friends and try to learn from every experience. As stated by Anita Xavier ’24 and Gabriela Quiroga ’24, “its bittersweetness is what makes it special.”
Image: Chaehee Shin
