by Reese Price

As the fourth nine weeks begins, the countdown to graduation becomes more real for seniors.

For some students, the answer to their next steps comes easy. They’ve committed to a college, trade school, enlisted in the military or secured a job. But for many others, the question brings more stress than excitement.

“When students come to me feeling this way, the first thing I remind them is that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right now,” Guidance Counselor Mrs. Laura Klipa said. “There’s a lot of pressure to make decisions that feel permanent, but the truth is, most people’s paths change over time.”

Across high schools, it’s common for a significant amount of seniors to feel uncertain at this point of the year. Many seniors feel like they’re the only ones unsure of future plans, but this is far from the truth. Seniors are all tasked with hard decisions during this time and many students are not fully prepared for the next step.

“Your first step after graduation does not lock you into the rest of your life,” Mrs. Klipa said. “What matters most is that it’s a thoughtful decision, not a perfect one.”

College decision day is May 1, 2026. Many seniors at GS will participate in showing off their college commitments by wearing merchandise or representing their future in one way or another. Senior Class President Ella Helman runs the class of 2026 Instagram page where students can submit their decisions and be recognized for their next steps.

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Senior Ella Helman poses during Penn State admitted students day in the Hetzel Union Building.

Photo Courtesy: Mrs. Helman

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“Being the Senior Class President, I am beyond proud of my peers and their accomplishments,” Helman said. “I love how everyone is going different places and they are all going after what they want for their future. It’s really cool to see the diversity in majors and the different interests everyone has.”

As spring progresses, some seniors are still waiting on decisions from colleges, trade schools or employers. This uncertainty can add to the stress of the final months in high school.  

“Many opportunities are given to students who commit to universities earlier, and with some decisions from my schools not coming until March, it caused stress in wondering if I’d be able to afford those opportunities because I waited,” senior Ian Smith said.

For some, this waiting period heightens the excitement when an acceptance letter finally arrives, while for others, a deferral or rejection can steer them onto an unexpected path, forcing them to rethink their next steps.

“I had an interesting college journey, but I learned so much from it,” Helman said. “At first I was disappointed with Penn State, but then I changed my perspective and viewed it as a sign that this was where I needed to be for my future.”

No matter the path, each senior is moving forward in their own way. While some may have everything planned out and others are still figuring out the details, the end goal of succeeding remains the same.

“While my college journey had many ups and downs, I ultimately know I ended exactly where I needed to be and I am so excited for what my future holds,” Helman said.