As seniors get closer and closer to the finish line, our mental abilities are checked out, often creating immense stress with final work, projects and tests to end the year off. With just a few more weeks until seniors are done with high school forever, it’s time to finish the year strong and prepare for college. Below are ways to de-stress with these final conclusions and welcome the new beginnings that lie ahead.

Don’t forget to stay in the moment.

Throughout my high school career, I kept getting caught up in my academics and extracurriculars, and always kept a mindset of what’s to come instead of what’s here. This was very draining to me since I was only looking forward to the future, gaining more and more stress. As high school comes to a close, it is important to stay in the present moment, enjoying all of the final activities that won’t happen again. Instead of looking towards the stress ahead, we can stay in present peace. 

Practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness can be beneficial for any situation. In a previous column, I concluded that mindfulness is key to staying present in the moment and preventing unwanted stress. According to Ggie.berkeley.edu, there are different practices students can take to feel the highest amount of peace. Open awareness and focused attention are both practices that can help seniors de-stress and gain awareness of the environment around them, without getting too distracted. These mindfulness practices are very beneficial if the end-of-the-year workload and college stress is continually getting to you. For more information on mindfulness, visit https://fentoninprint.com/27886/opinion/mental-health-matters-practicing-mindfulness/. 

Remember who you are.

We often get caught up in all of the deadlines, parties, and events that we sometimes lose ourselves. Trying to fit in or trying to accomplish a million things at once starts to put a weight on our shoulders. Towards the middle of my senior year, I got stuck in a pit of immense schoolwork for hours every night, and I left no time for fun events or my friends. Creating a healthy school/social balance is very crucial to remember who you are, and how you can get back into yourself. Also, practicing affirmations every day is beneficial to keep an attitude of positivity. According to 7mindsets.com, having a more positive form of self-talk can create success and happiness throughout a student’s life. Telling yourself things like “I can make time for myself as well as my responsibilities” and “I can fully participate in this existence as my authentic self” can help curate positive growth, and remember who you are and your purpose. 

Look at what you’ve accomplished. 

It is our 12th year. Our final year. Although looking ahead to what the future holds for us is appealing, let’s not forget to look back at what we have accomplished already. Holding gratitude in our hearts for our past opportunities is important to be equipped for our future steps. Again, holding affirmations about yourself and what you’ve proudly done is crucial to have full peace, the ability to let go, and attain freedom in your soul. 

Grappling with stress and the final goodbyes can be hard, but keeping in mind how far you’ve come and will still go is important to a positive mindset. Staying in the moment, practicing mindfulness, remembering who you are and looking back at what you’ve accomplished are just a few things to do to end this year. So, as my final conclusion and last goodbye to the InPrint and this wholehearted column, remember that positive change doesn’t happen on its own. It happens within yourself. It begins with you, and it ends with you. There is a journey that lies ahead, so let’s say hello and welcome these new beginnings.