By Ruth Nawaturuocha and Katie Meredith
It’s the time of year we have all been anticipating since freshman year: graduation. Seniors have been busy these past few months paying off fines, making and ordering graduation invites, and finding out when and where to host their graduation parties. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re staying on track for the big celebration.
Graduation Parties
Make sure you plan your own and get your invitations sent out as soon as possible. The earlier you schedule your party, the better. Find out when your friends are hosting their parties so you don’t run into conflicting dates. When booking a place, be sure to tell them you are having a party for a high school graduation, as some places will give you a special discount. The best place to host a party is at your own home. It’s a comfortable environment, you can make your own food, and the best part? It’s no charge to you!
Pay off those fines!
If you look around the halls, there are lists with ID numbers and a dollar amount next to them. Know that if you do not pay off your fines by the end of the year, you will not receive your diploma. Even better, look around your house for books, calculators, or other school supplies. Teachers keep very close track of those things and returning them will be better for you in the long run. If you have any further questions about fines, visit the office.
Finalize college decisions
If you haven’t done so, make your final decision on where you plan to attend college. For most schools, this is May 1. If you are going to college, be sure to turn in your housing contracts and take any necessary placement exams. If you wish to go into the Armed Forces, meet with a recruiter and they will explain the process with you.
Scholarship Money
Many seniors have been dreading the word “scholarship,” but there are millions of dollars out there that nobody knows about. Sign up on websites like cappex.com and scholarships.com. They will ask for information about you and find as many matches as possible. Instead of writing multiple “impact statements” for each scholarship, save one and use them on various applications.
