50 Things Every High School Senior Should Try

Congratulations, you’re finally in your senior year of high school! Though this may be a stressful time (in the midst of college applications), it’s still a time to celebrate – you’ve come so far!

In this post, I’ve gathered 50 fun (and not-so-fun) things to do in your senior year of high school. While many of these are fun bucket list activities, you’ll also find some essential things you should do as a high school senior!

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If you find yourself slacking off and not sure what to do with your time, this list could be helpful. Or if you’re looking for fun ideas and inspiration, you’ll also find that on this list.

Remember that this is just for reference and inspiration, and you definitely don’t have to do everything on this list.

Without further ado, let’s jump into the list of high senior senior bucket list activities. Be sure to bookmark it for later!

50 things to do in senior year of high school

Academic

Okay, let’s talk about academic things you should do during high school to set yourself up for future success. Not all of these are super exciting, but they are well worth the effort!

Take college-level classes or dual enrollment courses (you will thank yourself in college when you don’t have to take as many classes because you have credit to exempt them!
Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams so you can opt out of college classes
Research and apply to summer programs or study abroad programs
Attend college planning nights or events
Make a college list and start applying to schools
Attend college fairs and informational sessions
Visit colleges and universities (time this around school breaks so you can visit multiple schools in one go and make a road trip out of it!)
Take the SAT or ACT
Start a personal portfolio or resume
Begin the financial aid process (this can take even longer than applying for college, so it’s a good idea to start early)
Attend college planning workshops or seminars
Meet with your school counselor to discuss your plans after high school
Start thinking about and planning for your future career
Research scholarship opportunities (free money — trust me, you will thank yourself later if you can score some scholarships for college)
Explore study abroad options or exchange programs for college
Take advantage of resources at your school, such as tutoring or academic advising
Start building a professional network (see if you can grab coffee with someone whose career you admire as a start)

Productive

Next up, here are some productive things you can do when you’re bored. Instead of wasting your free time watching TV or scrolling aimlessly through social media, try one of these activities instead.

Learn a new language (use a free app like Duolingo to make practicing easy and fun)
Learn to code or develop a new technical skill
Start a business or side hustle
Do an internship
Start a volunteering position (it’s a rewarding way to spend your time, and you can include it on your resume)
Learn a new instrument or continue music lessons
Take an online course or MOOC (massive open online course)
Start a new club
Join a study group or form one with classmates
Start a personal blog or website (you can even make some extra money this way!)
Start a YouTube channel
Create a budget and start saving money
Take a cooking or baking class
Try a new sport or physical activity

Fun

Finally, here are some fun activities to do during your senior year. These are the best high school senior bucket list activities to make the most out of your last year of high school.

Host a movie night with friends
Host a game night with friends
Go on a road trip with friends (this is the perfect cheap activity for spring break or another school break if you can’t afford a big trip)
Attend a concert for your favorite artist
Take a dance class or join a dance team
Attend a sporting event or watch party with friends
Go to an amusement park or water park
Explore a nearby beach or lake
Go camping with friends (another cheap way to travel and make lots of memories with your friends)
Take a trip to the mountains or go skiing or snowboarding
Attend a local festival or event
Attend a music festival (like Coachella or Lollapalooza)
Go to a theater production or live performance
Take a yoga or meditation class
Explore a nearby city or a new state (you don’t have to go super far from home to experience new places)
Host a DIY craft or art workshop with friends
Attend a comedy show or open mic night
Go to a trampoline park or indoor climbing gym
Go to a drive-in movie theater

Conclusion

These are 50 of the best things to do during your senior year of high school.

It’s time to make the most of your final year of high school and prepare for the next phase of your life. Whether you’re focusing on academics, personal growth, or just having fun, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of this exciting time.

Hopefully you found something to do from this list.

Whether you’re planning to attend college, start a career, or take some time off, your senior year is a great time to explore your options and make the most of your opportunities. So go out there and make the most of your final year of high school – and have fun!

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