Graduation Nears: Seniors Face Big Decisions and Bigger Emotions

By Naomi

April 25, 2025

As the final weeks of school tick away, seniors at Colonie Central High School are preparing for graduation—a moment they’ve looked forward to for years. Alongside the excitement of caps, gowns, and farewell speeches comes a complicated mix of stress, hope, and, for many, a creeping sense of apathy for their coursework. 

With college decision deadlines quickly approaching, many seniors are finding themselves at a crossroads. “It’s overwhelming,” said senior Raelyn Staro. “I’ve been accepted to a few schools, but choosing the right one feels like a life-or-death decision.”

For students like Staro, May 1st—the national decision deadline—is looming, and it’s bringing a new kind of pressure.

On top of college choices, seniors are also facing their final round of high school exams. AP tests and final projects are stacking up, and some students are struggling to stay focused.

“It’s hard to care about tests when you’re already thinking about what comes next,” said senior Evelyn Desnoyers. “We’ve worked so hard for four years, and now it feels like overkill.”

Things are looking up for the seniors as the gloomy, cold winter thaws a little. With May comes the harrowing AP exams, but also Junior and Senior Prom, which gives the seniors a night to celebrate with their close friends while dressed in their very best. 

One senior says about senior prom, “There aren’t many occasions where you get to dress up and dance, and I’m excited to share something fun with the same people that I suffered through tests with.”

In the meantime, there are plenty of activities, like senior assassin, which provide a rush of adrenaline to keep the seniors engaged. On the horizon lies the senior picnic, promising warm weather, outdoor fun, and companionship. 

The most important event is graduation itself. Students will be leaving all they’ve ever known to venture into a space unbeknownst to them, maybe even unbeknownst to their families. The ceremony leaves room to praise students for their accolades as well as their general perseverance and fortitude to endure over 10 years of standardized schooling. 

It is both nerve-wracking and exciting for many. With the leap to college or straight into the workforce comes uncertainty, but also individuality which could be foreign to some students before they graduate. 

Tiffany He says she is “looking forward to the freedom of living alone.” 

It is also a time for students to say goodbyes to their favorite teachers, collect emails and social media handles, and try to reconcile with what they may be leaving behind. Friends that may be a few hours away instead of a few minutes, classrooms that they won’t frequent anymore.

Most seniors are just trying to stick it out until June. According to He, she’s been “done.”

“I’ve been wanting to get out since the year started,” she expands. 

With the finish line in sight, seniors are balancing big decisions, emotional goodbyes, and the pressure to keep going just a little longer. For many, graduation will mark not just the end of high school—but the beginning of something new.