As many seniors fail to realize, they are already halfway through with their final year of high school. Graduation feels close enough to start counting the weeks, but still far enough away that senioritis hits many of them like bricks.

“I feel underprepared for the life ahead of me ,and I feel very anxious and let down,” says senior Lain Hernando.

Many seniors are trying to balance not only their classwork but all the responsibilities that come with leaving. College applications, making career decisions and forms beyond forms have them feeling different ways.

Senior Meghan James says, “I feel excited to go to college—I’m just waiting to be done. I’m sick of all of it and want to be out of here.”

Senior year often is when kids understand the limited time they have left. Being told, “These four years will fly by,” by staff and administrators is something that goes in one ear and out the other until you’re in senior year and realize it’s almost over. Many students will feel a sense of nostalgia as they try to make the most of their time.

“This semester has definitely been stressful and overwhelming with applying to colleges, but next semester should be better. [It’ll] allow me to live more in the moment and make memories before I graduate,” says senior Seth Farkas.

As the year is in the beginning of the end, seniors are reminded by the cracks of all midterms and finals that the end is rapidly approaching. However, they are also reminded to make the absolute most of it because it doesn’t last forever.