Written By Betsy St Clair, Unionville Press
Growing up, the final year of high school, senior year, was depicted as a carefree time for students to savor the remainder of childhood. Regardless of how high school was as depicted on TV, the classic high school-based movies and shows were not completely accurate in their representation of senior year. 
Assumably, senior year is supposed to be a time for students to cherish friends and family before graduating high school, yet remains as busy as ever for most. As programs and schools for post-high school endeavors grow more and more competitive, students forget to pause and to enjoy the precious time their in. Whilst managing applications, interviews, extracurriculars, and or work, people can often disregard the power of being present. It is so easy to become wrapped up in looming deadlines and the proverbial grand future that awaits after graduation, but taking each and every day as it comes makes senior year so much more manageable for most.
In addition to mindfulness, in an academically competitive environment like Unionville, most people find that senior year is merely an extension of junior year with feeling burnt out, or known to many as “senioritis”. Many typically become “infected” with this contagious condition after winter break, but may begin to spread earlier in some seniors. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to; fatigue, physical and mental exhaustion, procrastination, and repeatedly calculating the exact amount of school days left.
However, senior year definitely consists of more than academics and senioritis. From painting jeans and recognition nights, for athletes to skip days and special privileges, students in their senior year are able to find a sense of balance amongst the madness.
Being a senior is definitely a bittersweet experience. Despite how eager some may be to graduate, closing a chapter of one’s life is always difficult, especially in a strong, tight-knit community like Unionville. Whether seniors have been at Unionville for one year or in the community their whole life, saying goodbye to this special place is always a challenge, yet full of excitement for the future to come.
