The Sagamore reached out to nine members of the class of 2015 over Facebook and asked what advice they have for current second semester seniors as they enter their final days of high school. Here’s what they had to say:

1. Taylor James, freshman at Agnes Scott College in Decateur, GA

“Once you hit second semester, spend more time with friends and less time stressing over schoolwork. Use the summer to relax and spend time with people you care about. If you are going to college, whatever school you end up at is going to be great, and if it isn’t it’s not the end of the world, you can always transfer. Smile. Live. Do weird crazy things but not too crazy. BHS prepares you very well for college– I literally had more work there than I do here.”

2. Akane Wakai, freshman at New York University in New York, NY

“Talk to your teachers. Especially to those with whom you felt most deeply connected to on a personal level, they will become a valuable experience as you move on to the next stage in life. Your professors will most likely not be as relevant to your life as your teachers are now. You will only see them twice a week in lectures, which are quite impersonal. Ask your teachers about their values and priorities in life, how they approached their college experience, etc. Teachers make great mentors and want to help you; have conversations with them.”

3. Nathaniel Bekele, freshman at Clark University in Worcester, MA

“Definitely enjoy second semester, get closer with your friends, use your time to do things you never got to do earlier in high school and just have fun… Oh, and make sure to figure out what you’re doing next fall! Just live in the moment because it’s fun and it’s a time to be enjoyed.”

4. Athalia Lopez, freshman at UMass Boston College of Nursing and Health Sciences

“If I were to give any advice for a second semester senior, it would be to just take a step back, relax and breathe. College is the biggest transition in your life right now, and it is stressful, but what is important is to make sure you’re okay and do things that make you happy.”

5. Theo Tamayo, freshman at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ

“The advice I would give to second semester seniors would be to spend a lot of time figuring out what school you want to go to if you don’t already know, or if you want to choose to do something else after high school. It’s going to be a big part of your life and you want to make sure you are happy with what you choose. And also, don’t completely abandon your classes because colleges do see final grades but you can relax as long as you don’t completely stop working, and enjoy the second semester.”

6. Suzanna Jack, freshman at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN.

“1. Take lots of laps, especially on the third floor. 2. Make friends with the librarians. 3. Spend time in the history department (the best department). 4. Read The Sagamore. 5. Challenge yourself and your peers to think in a way that goes against the BHS norm”

7. Dillon McGuire, freshman at Boston University in Boston, MA

“Relax and enjoy the feeling but keep up doing what work is being asked of you and as college decisions start to come out DO NOT let people make you feel any less because of the school or what you’re going to study. Also, savor the remaining time. This group of people won’t be together the same way after this year (that sounds sad but it’s a real thing to think about).”

8. Judy Liu, freshman at Barnard College in New York, NY

“Second semester seniors should really embrace the last couple of weeks together with their close friends (or even teachers), cementing down possible summer plans or ways to keep in touch because in college it can be hard. Also, it is really never too late to join or try something new like a sculpting class at the MFA or the #2 hot panini at Virginia’s. College can get in the way of that, or make it hard.”

9. Dawaun Hardy, freshman at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA

“I would say make an effort to get all your work done, because once you do that you’ll be able to enjoy your numerous free blocks and won’t have anything hanging over your head. Don’t ask anyone anything about college unless they bring it up first. Finally, enjoy it overall, do the best you can, and smile- I bet it looks so good on all of y’all.”