Senior Year Bucket List: 21 Must-Do High School Moments
Ready or not, here it comes – your senior year of high school!
Here comes a year of parents looking at you more thoughtfully, with nostalgia and maybe a few tears in their eyes. A year of every adult you’ve ever met asking what the plan is after high school. A year of decisions, school work, college, employment applications, and memories to be made. You’ll be told to soak it all in and make the most of it. But how do you know if you’re making the most of your senior year?
A senior year bucket list helps students create meaningful memories before graduation. Use this list as a collection of experiences you’ll want to have during your senior year of high school, and add your own items specific to your school.
Participate in school events
Do all of the things. Attend events. You are not too cool for any of it. Football games, the Homecoming Dance, Prom, senior picnic—go with friends and keep it laid-back and fun. Attend other athletic events, too. Volleyball, basketball, baseball, track. See what your classmates are doing and show support.
If your school does a senior prank, keep it legal, funny, and harmless. Be prepared to clean up afterward.
Attend other school performances. Go to at least one school production, such as a play or musical. Enjoy a choir concert and a band or orchestra concert if you’ve never attended one. Your friends in these activities will appreciate your support.
Plan a group outing to an away game. The sport doesn’t matter. Cheering for your team on someone else’s turf is a unique experience.
Join in and get involved
Join in where you can. Look for clubs and activities where you might learn something new or show what you already do well. Participating in extracurricular activities builds skills, strengthens your resume, and creates lasting friendships.
Do something for your community. Volunteer on your own or with friends. Help at a fundraiser, join a park clean-up, or assist at an auction raising money for a cause like pediatric cancer. Even short-term service projects help others and leave you with a sense of accomplishment.
Make memories with friends
Take senior pictures. This might be low on your priority list, but your parents probably want it. If professional pictures aren’t in the budget, grab a friend or sibling, pick a favorite outfit, and take photos outdoors during golden hour. These DIY pictures are often more fun and meaningful in the end.
If your high school offers a senior trip, go. If not, or if cost is an issue, plan something smaller with friends, like a night camping at a local site. Shared experiences strengthen friendships.
Host or attend a sleepover. Some of the best memories come from those late-night laughs when you’re overtired and a little silly.
Spend a day in the city. Use a school holiday or Saturday to take a train downtown, see a show, shop, visit a museum, or do something touristy.
Establish a weekly tradition with family or friends. Pick something consistent, like pizza night on Wednesdays, so everyone knows where to meet when they can.
Show appreciation and school spirit
Go to Senior Sunrise or Senior Sunset. If your school doesn’t host one, create the tradition. Meet at a beach, football field, or another meaningful location to watch the sun rise or set together.
Do something kind for your custodial staff. Get other seniors involved and show appreciation for their work.
Join in on Senior Skip Day only if there are no consequences and you don’t skip school often. Plan something fun so it’s a memory, not just a day off.
Participate in spirit days or spirit weeks. Whether it’s crazy sock day or dress like a grandparent day, go all in.
Thank someone who helped you through high school. Write a note to a teacher, counselor, coach, or administrator. A heartfelt thank-you means more than a gift.
Capture and reflect on your year
Journal your senior year. Use any notebook to write as much or as little as you want, as often as you can. Looking back will help you remember what you felt, thought, and did.
Write a letter to your future self. Include your hopes, dreams, and what you’re looking forward to. Seal it to read on the first day of college or even years later.
Take a lot of pictures. Capture everyday moments and special events, not just for social media but for your own memories.
Balance the fun with future planning
Form a study group. Meet at the public library or someone’s house once or twice a week. You may not always have the same assignments, but being around friends makes the workload feel lighter. Snacks help.
Tackle the academic and planning items, like applying to colleges and for scholarships, maintaining good grades, and possibly working a part-time job. You can read about these topics using the links below.
What to Expect for Your Senior Year of High School
Planning for College During Your Senior Year
Do Colleges look at Senior Year Grades?
College Scholarships for High School Seniors
Setting yourself up for what comes next
Senior year is a special time. You’ll experience many emotions and soon realize nobody has it all figured out. That’s okay. Set aside the pressure, embrace the moments, and enjoy the last part of your high school journey.
If you want extra support during this final stretch, Appily can help. Use our College Chances Calculator to see how your academic profile stacks up, explore Direct Admission options that reward strong transcripts, or get organized with Appily’s free Digital College Planner. These tools were built to help you finish strong and move forward with confidence.
