It’s senior year, that one last push of high school before it comes time for college and adulthood. Senior year is my last year of carefree, teenage fun; I need to cherish it as much as possible before the time runs out. What better way to do that than to appreciate every test and piece of homework benevolently bestowed upon me?

Just yesterday, my teachers informed me that I have two essays to finish, a project to work on, several worksheets due, and a test to study for this weekend, even though the deadline for my college applications is approaching. What a joy! This is just another experience as a senior; sleepless nights, broken pencils, and anxiety over the future. I absolutely love it.

After all, I have loads of time to complete each assignment alongside my college applications, and if I cut out sleeping, I will gain an extra eight hours. I mean, why sleep when I can be having so much fun writing a five page essay on Hamlet’s indecisiveness, along with a 650-word personal statement about a place where I am perfectly content –I’m writing about a studious, homework-filled classroom, of course.

So many of my peers seem to complain about all the stress and anxiety they feel as seniors, having to deal with the mundane duties of homework when they are busy trying to determine their future through Common App. They mutually agree that teachers should give less homework, especially during the main deadline months of November, December, and January.

It’s preposterous that they would suggest this. That extra essay and set of math problems are essential for preparing us for the future!

To be honest, the best part of whole year has got to be first semester. Several colleges I am applying to required me to send my applications by December 1 so that I can qualify for scholarships. Better yet, the UC application deadline was on November 30, although it had to be turned in earlier since the server often gets clogged.

The fun doesn’t end there, though. I also have to read three novels, annotate an entire packet of poetry, study stock markets, solve 50 calculus problems, write articles, and even make a newspaper layout. This workload is really not a problem.

In fact, it has some major benefits; my multitasking skills are off the charts and I can proudly pull an all-nighter with only Lipton tea and some minty gum. These are definitely worthwhile talents for the future.

Homework and tests are the best part of senior year in my opinion; they exemplify the true spirit of Diamond Bar High and its academic rigor. It absolutely does not matter if my AP Literature essay deadline on turnitin.com conflicts with my university application deadline.

In several months I will be graduating soon; my time as a high school student is limited, so the only way I can truly appreciate my senior year is to smile and embrace the tasks at hand. Now, with finals approaching, I feel even happier.