Graduation day is almost upon you—another group of young adults is about to take the education that they have learned at your institution and apply it to the outside world.
Preparing your seniors for the big day is a heady mix, especially since you brought them in to your school. Now is the time to help usher them out. High school seniors are itching to get out of the gate, a bit clingy, yet eager to explore their adult roles more seriously. They have a lot to concentrate on- final projects and exams, finalizing college plans, lining up summer jobs, as well as making time for relaxation and introspection between high school and college/work.
The seniors no doubt will have copious energy to burn off while frantically making plans and tying up loose ends. Take some time with each senior, just a few minutes per hour if your schedule allows, to discuss the rest of the school year and upcoming summer with the soon-to-be graduates.
Here are some tips to help this process:
- As your seniors rocket towards graduation day, no doubt they are full of mixed emotions, especially the need to hold onto what’s familiar to them. Discuss any apprehensions about graduation; leaving family, friends and boyfriends/girlfriends; or the college progression.
- Seniors have a lot to do before they collect those diplomas. Final college visits, deadlines, term papers, finals—they need to blow off some steam. Make sure to point out they can do so in a fun, safe way.
- The summer is a great time to connect with people before buckling down to the college lifestyle. Spending time with family and friends before going away to school is important.
- Remind them to get a decent night’s sleep, to eat well and to exercise—sometimes the most basic routines are overlooked.
- Ask the seniors to write letters to themselves and include self-addressed stamped envelopes. Collect these and mail them out the following year during the summer. Ask them to write their thoughts and hopes for their first year at college, or in the workforce, and any goals they want to achieve. Writing out all the thoughts and fears can be cathartic for them. It will be interesting for the seniors to look back at their high school selves and read with a different perspective, reflecting on how much they have grown.
