Calling all rising seniors! Schools are starting, and for seniors, this is our last year of high school. For most high schoolers, senior year is the year that they have been looking forward to since freshman year, or even before that.
So, to make your last year of high school special, fun, and memorable, here are ten ideas for you and your classmates to try. With these ideas, you can make your senior year your best year of high school!
1. Time Capsule
A time capsule can be a significant way for you and your friends to recall everything you've been through. Plus, creating one is easy! Simply choose a container, such as a suitcase or a shoebox, then gather your close friends.
Next, you should each decide what you want to put into the capsule. It could be anything! The objects could be things that are important to you individually, or group items, such as photos and team medals.
Once you have created your box and put everything in it, make sure to label the box as “Class of 2025." (Or whatever else you decide to name it.) Finally, find a location you and your friends can come back to years later. This can be one of your backyards or a local area. Just make sure that you have permission to put your time capsule there first.
After you bury your time capsule, you're all set! The amount of time you take to come back to it is entirely up to you.
2. Senior Shirts
One way to gift your entire class with a class keepsake is by making school t-shirts! Gather ideas from your class using a survey on what kind of designs or elements they want in their shirt. Think about what colors you want, whether you want your school name on the shirt, or perhaps if you all want to sign it.
Next, assign artistic and creative classmates to design your shirts. They can do it freehand, or by using online templates. Once the t-shirt design is created, send it off to a printing company to have the shirts made.
3. Senior Portraits
If you want a more individual way to remember your senior year, senior portraits are a great idea. You can take your portraits in two different ways:
Hire a Professional photographer:
Hiring a professional photographer will produce beautiful photos, but it will also be very costly. Keep in mind whether or not you have the budget to spend money on professional photos. Typically, senior portraits will cost anywhere from $200-$600, but it can vary depending on how many locations you go to, outfit changes, and retouching.
Also, make sure you hire your photographer in advance. A lot of photographers are booked out by late summer---when most seniors get their photos taken---so start searching in the spring to get a head start.
Do It Yourself:
For those who don't want to hire a professional photographer, don't be disappointed! There are plenty of ways you can take stunning senior photos. Maybe you can pick up some photography yourself, or ask a friend to take them for you.
The internet can also be an amazing tool for photography tips. With the right practice, you will be able to take photos that you can look back on with pride.
Whether you hire a professional photographer or take the photos yourself, here are some details you need to consider:
- Location: What kind of background do you want in your photos? A beach, mountain, building, and flower field are some common ideas.
- Time: Depending on what time you take the photos, the lighting of the sun can be very different. Many people opt to take photos right around golden hour.
- Outfits: Wear the colors and outfits that suit you the best! Put on things you feel confident in, but also keep in mind that certain colors will clash with your background and not appear well in photos. Remember that if you are hiring a professional photographer, there is a limited amount of outfit changes you can have.
Image Credit: Ryan Leeper from Pexels
4. Senior Sunrise and Sunset
Gather with your classmates on the first day of school to see the sun rise, and later on the last day of senior year to watch it set. This is sure to be a memorable event for both you and your classmates. First, tell your classmates to pick a time and place to meet (typically at a school athletic field or parking lot).
Then you should also organize snacks, drinks, and other fun activities to do. Bring your blankets, chairs, and yummy breakfast foods, and remember to take lots of pictures!
Image Credit: Micah Boerma from Pexels
5. Field Trip
While field trips are normally fun, in senior year, you can take your field trips to the next level. Schools will typically allow seniors to take an overnight class trip to a beach or resort, as long as they have the funds. However, if your school says no, you can go on a senior skip day!
Or at the beginning of the summer, you could even go on a field trip with your closest friends. When planning a senior field trip, you should poll your classmates on where they want to go and discuss with your teachers if it's a feasible idea with transportation and schedules.
6. Senior Assassin
Usually played with water guns or as a game of tag, Senior Assassin is a game that will keep your spirits high, especially as the year is coming to a close. This is a fun game that involves the entire senior class/grade. To play Senior Assassin, simply put the names of all the seniors in a bowl and have everyone pick the name of a classmate. The person you pick is your “target.” For however long it takes, you will try to shoot the person with a water gun, whether that be in a parking lot, mall, or their house.
However, before you begin, make sure you discuss the parameters of where and when the game will be played. Once you hit your target, their target now becomes your next target. This continues until only one person is left and named the winner.
7. Decorate Parking Spots
If you have your driver's license and you have reserved a parking spot for yourself, you can decorate it with paint or chalk. This is a fun and creative senior experience. You can decorate the parking spot with quotes, logos, or whatever else you like. Be creative! However, before you start, make sure to check what type of paint you can use. (Sometimes school leadership prefers water-based or waterproof paint.)
8. Senior Gift
If you and your classmates want to be generous or leave a lasting impression on your school, you can pool your money together to buy a gift for your school. Some good ideas for a senior gift are air conditioning, park benches, and new sports equipment. However, if you don't have sufficient funds for a gift, think of some ways to fundraise as a class!
9. Senior Prank
Another idea is a senior prank! This involves pranking your teachers or even the entire school near the end of the school year. Some fun prank ideas are sticky noting a whole hallway, filling hallways with cups, or turning chairs upside down.
That being said, make sure your joke is safe and appropriate. You don't want to do anything inappropriate, vulgar, or targeted at a specific group of people. Remember: It should be fun!
10. Graduation Party
Lastly, you should consider having a graduation party! These parties come at the end of the year after you have graduated. They usually happen at one's house or a fun venue.
Typically, prom and wedding venues also allow for graduation parties. If you want to do your party at a venue, you should book it ahead of time. They are usually booked out by the springtime, so to get ahead, start looking in the fall or winter.
If you don't want to have your party at a venue, whether because of cost or another reason, throw your party at home! It can be inside or outside, whatever you want. When planning your party, consider the theme, who you will invite, what food you will serve, and what fun activities you will do.
Image Credit: Tara Winstead from Pexels
These are just some of the many options you have to make your senior year memorable. Use your creative freedom, and discuss with your friends and classmates what activities you all want to do together. With fun activities like these, you are bound to have the best senior year!
