A GUIDE TO SENIOR YEAR FOR MOMS

Do you have a senior this year or maybe a soon-to-be senior?  Are you feeling nervous about all the deadlines, activities, and events that senior year encompasses?  The fear of forgetting something is real.  Sometimes our kids aren't the best at keeping us informed either - especially if you have boys.  Just having gone through senior year with one child, and another senior year fast approaching, I thought moms would appreciate a senior year calendar/list to help you keep track with some of the deadlines and things to remember.  

• Senior Portraits - If you haven't scheduled senior portraits already, make that your first priority.  Decide on a photographer and choose the time of year that works best.  If you aren't sure on when you should schedule senior portraits, read this The Best Time to Schedule Senior Portraits

• Yearbook Portraits - These are mandatory and actually take place during the summer before senior year, usually right before school starts.  No need for outfits, the drape and tux top are provided.  However, keep in mind that new haircuts/colors/styles, or even the lack of a haircut can be a disaster right before pictures.

• College List - The fall semester is the ideal time to make a list of at least 3 colleges that your child may want to attend.  Check into those particular colleges to see what type of programs they offer.  They may or may not offer the course of study your child would like to pursue.  Once you have narrowed down the choices, complete the required college applications and plan visits to those colleges before the end of the fall semester.  Trust me, you do not want to put this off.  The spring semester is going to be jam packed!

• Meet with Counselor  - It's a good idea for you, your child, and the school counselor to all sit down together and make sure you are all on the same page and have a plan of action.

• ACT/SAT - This semester is the last chance for your child to take these exams again and try to get their score up.

• FAFSA - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.  Nearly every single student is eligible for some type of financial aid.  This form becomes available on October 1. 

• Cap & Gown - Ordering the cap and gown usually takes place sometime in October.  Your child will receive a packet with offers to buy all sorts of additional senior items as well.  There is a package available that contains JUST the cap, gown, and tassel - but you will have to hunt for it.  

• Collect Addresses - Start thinking about who all you will need to send graduation and/or grad party invitations to, and start collecting those addresses.  

• Prom  - Those of you with girls will want to set aside time for prom dress shopping early in the spring.  You may need to plan for more than one day!  Boys will need to reserve their tux and go in for a fitting.  While you're out shopping , this would be a good time to pick up a few dressy outfits for the many banquets, award ceremonies, and events that your senior will be attending later in the spring.  

• Graduation Tickets - Some schools limit the number of tickets that seniors receive to give to family members.  If that is the case, it's a good idea to find out how many each senior is allotted and make those decisions in advance regarding who will be invited to attend.  Go ahead and break the news to those who won't be receiving tickets.  

• Graduation Announcements - Ideally, your photographer can take the task of creating these off your plate, but if not, the job will fall to you or your senior.  Creating these can be a timely job, so the earlier you can get them done, the better.  Make sure you order these far enough in advance to get them addresses and ready to mail out in plenty of time.  You should have them in the mail at least 3 weeks before graduation.

• Graduation Party - Will you be holding a graduation get together for family and friends?  If so, plan ahead for those party announcements.  That will be another thing you will need to get in the mail.  Need some help planning a graduation party?  Check out my Pinterest board for some great ideas! Plan an Awesome Grad Party

Your child's senior year will go by extremely fast.  The months of March, April, and May will be particularly busy so the earlier you can get some of these things marked off your to-do list, the less stressed you will be.  Staying on top of things will give you more time to live in the moment and enjoy your child's final days and months of high school.