Many juniors at MBHS are nearing the end of their third year of high school. With just one semester left as a junior, many students are starting to think about what their senior year will be like and what they hope to get out of it.
Junior Leonardo Rivera sees senior year as an important time, especially when it comes to their future after high school. “Probably getting new opportunities, college-wise and filling out applications and stuff,” Rivera said. He thinks senior year will be different because it’s the last year in high school before you move on and go to college,” Rivera said. He also expects schoolwork to be more demanding. “I think it’ll be harder and more like preparing for life and stuff.”
Rivera has set goals for his senior year. He wants to work harder on his schoolwork and do his best. “I’m gonna try to push myself next year,” Rivera said. “I’m hoping that I can maybe get scholarships for schools and just apply myself as much as possible.” He also plays football and plans to continue doing that. Looking ahead, he hopes to finish high school and start college. “Plans are graduating, going to Cal Poly, going into maybe an engineering field,” Rivera said.
Senior year is also about more than just school. Rivera wants to develop socially and become more confident around other people. “I want to be a lot more social and more comfortable talking to others,” Rivera said. “I think having social skills is very important.” The advice he gives himself before senior year starts is to use his time wisely. “Don’t procrastinate. Get everything done as soon as possible,” Rivera said.
Juniors Anna Ingle and Georgia Hughes are also thinking a lot about their upcoming senior year. Both are looking forward to finishing high school and finishing activities they’ve spent a lot of time doing. For Ingle, sports are what she’s most looking forward to. “Probably my sport, which is water polo,” Ingle said. She says it feels special to be near the end. “I’m just excited to get everything over with.” Hughes shares many of the same thoughts. “I think completing my sport would be really cool,” Hughes said. “I’m excited to just wrap everything up.”
Both also have personal goals for their senior year. Ingle wants to become more confident in speaking in front of others. “I really want to get better at public speaking,” Ingle said. Hughes wants to make the most of her senior year. “Just say yes more and take every opportunity I can,” Hughes said. “It’s gonna be sad when we graduate.”
As they look forward to the end of senior year, both hope to leave with fond memories. “Probably making a lot of new friends and enjoying every bit of each year,” Ingle said. Hughes says that it will be a big thing to complete. “Just saying I finished high school,” Hughes said. “I feel like I’ll be lucky to say I graduated.”
Socially, there are also things they want to work on. Ingle wants to challenge herself more. “Put myself out there more,” Ingle said. Hughes says it’s not always easy. “I find it hard to make friends and public speaking too,” Hughes said.
Both believe senior year will help them prepare for the future. Ingle points to the teacher that are at MBHS. “The classes are structured in a way that prepares you for college,” Ingle said. Hughes believes a lot of learning happens through interaction with others. “I’ve learned so much more from making friends and being here with people,” Hughes said.
Finally, they share advice they would have given themselves before their senior year begins. Ingle reminds them of responsibility. “Do your homework,” Ingle said. Hughes believes it’s also important to enjoy the time. “Put yourself out there and have fun,” Hughes said. The juniors at Morro Bay High School see senior year as both an end and a new beginning. While expectations vary, many share a desire to make the most of their last year of high school.
