Valuable Lessons and Advice for Seniors

"As a college student, something that I would like to give to seniors is to build a good support system. For those without a strong support system, build one. Be open to new things, join clubs, get to know your fellow classmates, talk to people of the similar interests, etc. When the time comes for when you need someone to help you out, those in your support system will be more than willing to assist you. Remember, college is a different environment from high school, so take advantage of the opportunity to make new friends and build your confidence and character in the process." -Kevin Rabanal (JTHS ’11)

"To the senior class, when you’re in college, have fun, but also take it seriously. Study as much as possible and learn to keep a high GPA while at the same time having fun and meeting new people. A college party is good once or twice a month, just don’t party so much to a point where it gets you in trouble. Remember, your GPA, academic record and graduation degree are much more important on your resume than the number of parties you attended every year. So it’s best to balance out your academics with your social life. Once you do that, you’re on your way." -Kevin Rabanal (JTHS ’11)

“After graduating high school and living away from home, I have learned a lot about myself. I learned how to be independent and turned into a better person. The most valuable lesson I have learned is that you need to put your happiness first and then everything else will fall into place.” - Brooke Lehman (JTHS ’13)

“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is what you want and not want your parents want from you. You will not be happy unless you make your own decision.” - Brooke Lehman (JTHS ’13)

"Don't stress too much about the little things because in a few years, you will look back and laugh at what seemed to be such a big deal. Make time for the friends that are true to you and never let them go, even if it means that you only see them a few times a year if some move away to college. Follow your heart in all of your decisions, even if others might not agree with you at first. I had my heart set on one future career for years and then, halfway through college, transferred schools & made a drastic change in majors and am happier than I ever thought I could be. The next few years of your life are going to be so exciting! Get ready to meet so many new amazing friends and take on every good experience that you can!" -Brittany Jerkovich (JTHS '09)

"The key to success is motivation, confidence, and positive thinking" -Sara Kinsey (JTHS '12)

"After graduation high school, the most valuable lesson I learned is that it is essential to discover who you are as a person and create your own happiness. I am the type of person that always puts others first, but sometimes you need to step back and worry about yourself for a change. You are the most important person in your life. As you grow, you encounter new situations and you learn from these experiences. You are who you are for various reasons. You were put on this earth for a purpose and it is your job to determine what that purpose is. The past is the past for a reason. It is there for reflection purposes. It permits you to remember where you came from, so you have the ability to see how far you have come. The past has collaborated to bring you to the present. The present permits everything new. You have the ability to make your own decisions and take charge of your feelings. Ultimately, the only person in charge of your emotions is yourself. People can try to bring you down, but you have the ability to bring yourself back up. You are the only person in charge. People can judge you, hurt you, and try to destroy you, but in the end the only thing that matters is how you reacted to these situations. You must always turn the negatives into positives. It is essential to make yourself happy everyday. You have the key to your emotions. The only opinions that others can provide you are the ones that you want to hear. Only keep those who care about you in your life. Ignore those who try to bring you down because in the end they won’t matter. Everyone dies and once you die, the little things don’t matter anymore. It won’t matter how you dressed, what items your owned, or how much money you had. Those who want to remember you will remember you for the person you were on the inside. Those who tried to bring you down will no longer matter. The only things that will matter are that you were satisfied with the life you lived and the accomplishments you made. It is important to die happy, knowing that you lived your life to its fullest potential. It is important to know you left the long lastly impact that you wanted to leave. In order to achieve this, you must live everyday to its fullest. Your life is a story that only you can write. Others can influence that story, but ultimately you are in control of what is written." - Sara Kinsey (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable piece of advice that I can provide is to do what makes you happy. It is essential to follow your own path in life. You have the ability to make your own decisions. You're going to lose friends after graduating, but that is just a part of life. Only surround yourself with those people who support you and encourage you to pursue your dreams. Also, it is okay for your dreams to change. You need to use your head to make logical decisions, while following your heart. Life after high school is going to be completely different, but if you take advantage of everything that high school has to offer (classes, clubs, sports, etc.) you will be fine. If you manage your time and stay organized, you will succeed." - Sara Kinsey (JTHS '12)

"After being on my own, it is inevitable that you will learn new things about yourself, as well as life itself. I learned that your “friends” in high school were not necessarily always your “friends.” People who you keep close to in college and it is an effortless sort of friendship are those that are going to be around for a long time. It is hard to keep in contact with everyone from home…people lose touch; it is a way of life. People grow and sometimes people do not grow together, and that is okay" -Amanda Gerritsen (JTHS '12)

"Another thing I realized since graduating was that there truly is not enough time. Not enough hours in a day, not enough days in the week, and life just keeps moving at a rapid, frightening pace. You cannot take things for granted (like I made the mistake of doing with various things in high school) and try to live in the moment. Grasp tightly onto the people that you love, remember the good times in high school (but do not live in the past, for that is dangerous!), and just appreciate every single day that you are alive. There is so much to do out in the world, SO DO IT!" -Amanda Gerritsen (JTHS '12)

"One piece of advice to seniors it to put down your stupid phones. Get off of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, whatever. Live in the moment, appreciate the beauty that is around you. People are so caught up in other peoples lives, why do you care so much about what that person tweeted? Social Media presents us with a false reality – do you really think they are having that much fun if they are posting hundreds of pictures? Perhaps they are, however, the person posting those pictures mainly wants to prove to everyone that their life is exciting and full of fun. Why do we feel the need to prove how cool our lives are to other people? Go outside and just absorb everything around you…don’t take a picture and post it to Instagram. JUST BE HAPPY AND LIVE YOUR LIFE! I swear if you get off social media for a week you will feel differently." -Amanda Gerritsen (JTHS '12)

"Time management is life - if you can control your schedule, know what responsibilities you have the ability to take on and what you cannot, as well as have the balance of school/personal/work life, then you will succeed." - Ed O'Brien (JTHS '12)

"For college entrants specifically: there are three "S's" in college: Sleep, Social life, and Schoolwork. You only get to master two of the three. Choose wisely." - Ed O'Brien (JTHS '12)

"You are a senior.  You don’t want to do school work.  I get it.  That’s understandable. You want to find out where you want to go and what you want to study and enjoy not answering to teachers for a little bit.  But if you choose to go to college, understand that there is a reasonable chance that you may not afford it, and you will need to take loans out to defray the costs of education.  That’s fine (because college is worth whatever the cost of education is), but since you are not doing anything, APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.  Go on those seemingly dumb websites and apply for anything you can think of.  ANYTHING.  It is indeed a test of your willingness to sit down and write something thoughtful.  Little bit of effort might help you get a couple grand here and there, and that will help in the long run.  I wish I had the motivation to apply for scholarships before I left for college, because now I’m looking at tens of thousands of dollars in debt upon graduation.  It is entirely worth it, but it did not have to be this way. Sketch out a resume.  It may seem strange, but just a rough list of accomplishments and experiences (jobs/volunteer opportunities/etc) will help set you apart from the pack when you start looking at things (another job, internship, etc).  Do not count on your Career Services staff at your college to be helpful, and there are plenty of resources and articles online on how to write a solid resume.  There is no perfect formula, but having multiple people you trust look at it can help you be the best applicant you can be when it comes time to get that great job or opportunity." -Ed O'Brien (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson I have learned is always follow your heart because it will lead you in the right direction." - Kelsey LaVerme (JTHS '2012)

"One piece of advice that I would give to seniors is to get involved; joining a sorority was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have met some amazing people and have had so many experiences that I have learned so much from." - Kelsey LaVerme (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson I have learned since graduating is the value of a dollar. Save every penny! Also don't go to the same school as your high school boy/girlfriend." - Catie Kunkel (JTHS '12)

"Advice I would give seniors is to enjoy high school while you still have it. College is fun, but I still find myself talking about the amazing experiences I benefited from in high school, both in and out of the classroom. Also, get involved in campus! It helps you become more aware of what is going on. You meet different types of people that will amaze you and it looks fantastic on a resume!" - Catie Kunkel (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson I have learned since graduating is to always remain true to yourself. There are going to be obstacles you face that are going to knock you down, whether it is people, classes, or life in general. The truer you stay to yourself, the less these obstacles will interfere with your success. Stand your grand and nothing will stand in your way." - Lexi Marzocca (JTHS '12)

"Time management definitely plays a huge role in the college world. Always staying on top of your work will help you stay organized and less stressed. Also, never give up no matter how hard a subject is. You may need to stay in the library until it closes or ask your professor after quizzes for help, but this extra effort will demonstrate hard work and dedication and at the end of the semester you will feel extremely proud that your hard work paid off." - Lexi Marzocca (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson I have learned since graduating high school is that you need to always expect the unexpected. Life is crazy and can take a sudden sharp turn and knock you down if your aren't ready and thats why you need to never get to comfortable." - Karl Pappacena (JTHS '12)

"One piece of advice for the seniors is to get to know your college professors and talk to them one on one. It will make a good impression and the professor will see that you are a good person and want to do good. It usually will help you out for some grades and can never hurt." - Karl Pappacena (JTHS '12)

"College is what you make of it. Be friendly, try new things, and keep a positive outlook. Make a bucket list and be adventurous!" - Lauren Ransegnola (JTHS '12)

"Don't be afraid to change your major. There's absolutely nothing wrong with not exactly knowing what you want to do with your life. Look into job shadowing to get a feel of the work environment and responsibilities. Seek help via your college's career advisors or high school guidance counselors, if need be." - Lauren Ransegnola (JTHS '12)

"Visit a ton of schools. Check out various sizes, regions, and definitely scout out what is in the surrounding area! My school is a 15 minute train ride from Philly, 10 minutes to the nearest mall, and there is a 24-hour diner across the street. There's always something to do and somewhere to eat."
- Lauren Ransegnola (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson that I have learned since graduating is that the transition from high school to college is most definitely a difficult experience. I lost a lot of friends and I had a hard time adjusting to college. On the bright side, I met a lot of wonderful new people and I love all of my professors at Centenary College. I am also very lucky to be so close to home!" - Marisa Galfo (JTHS '12)

"One piece of advice for seniors is to enjoy senior year, every single second!!!!!! GO TO PROM!"
- Marisa Galfo (JTHS '12)

"Don't take a semester off unless it's absolutely necessary because you will be trying to make up those credits until you graduate. College is lonely, especially if you're commuting to school, so be prepared. It is nothing like high school. There are not lunch tables filled with your friends. You're stuck eating by yourself if you don't make friends. Even if you do make friends, you may have different majors, so it will be hard to see them." - Alex Rodriguez (JTHS '12)

"Don't listen to the negative stigma that everyone has against CCM in JTHS because it is not a bad school. I was in mostly honors and AP courses in high school, so it is not only for the underachievers. I have a good GPA and a scholarship, so it is not the "13th grade." It is the best choice to make if you're trying to save money because either way you'll graduate with a degree wherever you want to go for your bachelors." - Alex Rodriguez (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson that I have learned since graduating is that I am responsible for everything that has to be done. No one is going to clean for me, and if I need help with something I have to seek help on my own, no one is just going to do things for me." - Katie Machere (JTHS '13)

"One piece of advice for seniors is to relax. They make getting into and choosing college seem like a much bigger deal than it actually is." - Katie Machere (JTHS '13)

"I believe that the most valuable lesson I have learned since graduating is the importance of adaptability and being prepared. You should always have a plan for whatever you want to do whether it be studying for a big test or taking a trip with your friends to New York City. Even if you do have a plan for your goal, you should also be ready to make split second decisions because life is very unpredictable and a carefully laid out plan can fall through at any minute." - Jorge Gomez (JTHS '12)

"The only piece of advice I have for seniors is to think about what you want for the future. When I was heading to college I heard you didn’t really need a fleshed out plan until sophomore year however that is very incorrect. I was lucky and already had my plan lain out but I have friends who did not plan it out so well and as such are having a hard time fitting everything they need into their schedules." - Jorge Gomez (JTHS '12)

"The world is a big place full of great opportunities which can be both exciting and intimidating at the same time. A lot of times you will end up feeling lost because of how much is out there and unsure of what you want to ultimately want to do with your life. That being said, you must also always keep in mind that nothing is set in stone and you have the power to steer your life wherever you want it to go." - Kristen Swerzenski (JTHS '13)

"My advice for seniors is DO NOT SLACK OFF. As tempting as it seems to take the absolute minimum requirements in your last year of high school, you could miss out on great opportunities in the near future. For me, because I took AP Biology in my senior year and worked hard for a good grade I was placed in an Advanced Scholars Intro to Biology class where we are doing real research on why the global populations of amphibians are declining. Had I not taken AP Biology in my senior year, I would not have been offered this amazing opportunity and I would be sitting in a lecture instead of being out in the mud catching frogs and learning valuable research and lab skills." Kristen Swerzenski (JTHS '13)

"The most valuable thing I learned after graduating is that college is great because you can reinvent yourself… but you don't have to. I went to college the same way I left Jefferson and slowly developed into a better version of myself throughout. You'll learn a lot about yourself (good and bad) and where to go from there." - Hayley Western (JTHS '09)

"One piece of advice for seniors: there are always going to be people in life you don't like/get along with, that doesn't change after you leave high school. Learning to deal with it in a mature way and letting it go is key." - Hayley Western (JTHS '09)

"The most valuable lesson that I have learned since graduating is that you will never lose touch with the people who care about you the most" - Shannon Daugherty (JTHS '13) 

"One piece of advice that I have for seniors is to enjoy it while it lasts! I graduated high school last year, but it feels like it has been ages." - Shannon Daugherty (JTHS '13)

"I have learned so many lessons since graduating. You learn a lot about yourself and about other people. Honestly, you are the one that makes things happen. You can make the choice to be happy when you are miserable (it happens), you choose to work hard, you choose who to associate with. You are in control. Things get hard. Really hard. Believe in yourself. Things will be alright in the end. Unfortunately you can't always choose which friends you stay friends with. Some of them leave. That's okay because the worthwhile ones remain. Listen to people when they say this happens and don't be stubborn like me. Sometimes the harder you try, the further people seem. It will weed out people not worth your time. But you'll need good friends to laugh with and complain to and cry to and spend hours watching b rated movies on netflix with. And they will be there, just not where you expect. Demand to be treated with dignity and respect ("If you don't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love anybody else?" -Ru Paul). Get involved! The best people are the people interested in the same things you are! Especially academically. When you are in a small major like me, they become a family." -Heather Wojcik (JTHS '12)

"One piece of advice for seniors is… Scholarships. Scholarships. Scholarships. (if you decide to go to college). Apply for a lot and do it sooner rather than later because you will get busy. I didn't and I'm suffering. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. And no matter where you go, it helps to have that extra cash. Also, AP classes help so much! One less thing to worry about which means more time to take other classes or just relax" - Heather Wojcik (JTHS '12)

"The most valuable lesson that I have learned since graduating is that professors aren't there to baby you. You are there to learn and it's really your decision to go to class and do the work" -Karla Madrigal (JTHS '11)

"My best piece of advice for seniors is do not let senioritis get to you! Once you get into college, it can feel like you can start slacking off, but college requires so much work, so you don't want to go into it thinking it will be a breeze." -Karla Madrigal (JTHS '11)

"Time management is key to success in college. If you can't manage time well, it's hard to stay on top of all of your work." -Emily Nimmo (JTHS '09)

"One piece of advice for seniors it to enjoy your summer before going to school. Senior summer is one of the best times before starting college. Do as much as you can with your friends as you can make time for." -Emily Nimmo (JTHS '09)