6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Online School Senior Year

July 11, 2022 byConnections Academy

4 min to read

Image of a student in a yellow shirt enjoying her senior year.

Senior year of high school is an exciting time for students. College, future careers, and post-graduate plans are on the horizon, and there is so much to look forward to. Learn how to have a good senior year with these tips for preparing for classes, graduation, future-planning, and soaking up all the moments of online school senior year. If you’re wondering, “How can I make the most of my senior year of high school,” hopefully these tips will give you some ideas!

1. Take Classes That Interest You.

Going into senior year of high school is a perfect time to try new things when it comes to classes and academics. You will likely have a little more freedom in your online school class selection during your senior year, so add one or two classes to your syllabus that sound interesting! You never know—one of these classes may end up creating a “lightbulb moment” for you on a potential future career path!

2. Begin Your College Application Process Early

College applications are going to be a big part of your senior year, especially in the fall. So, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to start this application process early. This will help minimize stress around applying to college and help you enjoy your senior year even more!

Check out this college preparation checklist to help you cover all your bases and get a jump on the college prep process early on in your online senior year and explore what career or college major is right for you.

3. Stay on Top of Your GPA.

Even though college applications are a big focus of your senior year, that doesn’t mean you can slack off in your online school senior year classes. In fact, many colleges consider your first semester GPA as part of your college application!

“Your final high school transcript is the last piece of the puzzle that is college admissions, and ending on a strong note will ensure your admissions decision,” according to test prep resource Olive Book.

4. Think About the Future and Dream Big!

Going into senior year of high school is a great time to really think about what life will be like after high school. What can you see yourself doing? Do you have a “dream career?” What excites you? This is a time to dream big and explore all your options. Maybe you have a few ideas for your future career or college plans, or maybe you don’t—that’s okay too. Working with a college counselor (like the licensed College Prep counselors at Connections Academy®) can help you determine the direction of your college education and future career as well as help remove some of the stress of having to figure these big questions out on your own. Regardless, don’t limit yourself in thinking about the future—this is the time to explore all options!

Connections Academy students learning and performing first aid and CPR

5. Consider Getting an Internship

Another great way to test a potential career path or area of professional interest as you are preparing for senior year of high school is through an internship.

Not only will an internship look good on your college application, but it will also give you some “real-world” experience of what it’s like to be in the workplace, and help you further discern what might be most interesting to you as a career.

The summer before your senior year of high school is a wonderful time to try to land a summer internship, or you could also pursue a fall or spring internship program (another advantage offered by the flexibility of an online school senior year!)

6. Make Some Memories.

Going into senior year of high school, you’ve worked hard, so don’t forget to enjoy this final lap of the race that is high school.

Get together with friends (virtually or in person), plan celebratory events, and make some memories! Your senior year of high school is a time you will look back on with great fondness, so make it a great one!

Online schools like Connections Academy are dedicated to supporting students throughout their schooling experience and preparing them for the world ahead. Learn more about the benefits of online school and preparing students for success in the classroom and beyond.