After surviving their first three years of high school, the class of 2026 faces a new challenge: balancing the difficulty of Menlo’s academic rigor with college applications, and trying to make the most out of their last year of high school.
With so much on their plates, it’s common for seniors to feel overwhelmed. Many seniors experience senioritis in their second semester, a form of burnout notorious for killing off a student’s motivation to work and attend class. But the first semester is really where seniors’ mental health is put to the test. With so much going on, the class of 2026 has found various ways to manage their stress to be better able to enjoy their last year at Menlo.
Senior Brendan Wong finds time management crucial to balance homework and extracurriculars, a skill that’s put to the test in a senior’s final first semester of senior year. Despite his water polo practices, which typically last around three hours, Wong still makes time for homework, downtime and even loved ones. “I always eat dinner with my family, no matter what,” he said. However, he also notes that his family no longer spends as much time together as they used to due to conflicting busy schedules. “College is pretty much all that is on my mind at the moment, especially because of how prevalent it is,” Wong said. “But one of my top priorities is staying in touch with the people close to me, like hanging out with friends [and family].”
School days paired with many demanding activities increase the chance of mental fatigue, especially with the added stress of college applications. For senior Ananya Goel, who pushed herself past her breaking point during sophomore and junior year, burnout is an all-too-familiar feeling. “It felt like I was just tired, and I just had no motivation to do any work. I ended up falling behind in a lot of classes. And [honestly], I never caught up,” she said. To those who have been lucky enough to avoid burnout thus far, Goel stresses the importance of choosing a manageable course load. “Try not to stretch yourself out too far; know that you have limits [and] not all of the time in the world.”
After three years at Menlo, senior Claire Yao has developed a system for scheduling her time more effectively. “I look weeks ahead to see what’s going on [in my classes], so I can also plan and balance out going to workout or hang[ing] out with friends.” She emphasizes the need for time management and advises future Menlo seniors make progress on college applications during the summer to avoid adding on an additional workload during the busy school year. Yao explains that college applications can sometimes be the star player in senior burnout. They are one of the many things students worry about during the year. “You’re trying to juggle so many things while also trying to get rest and be healthy, and that gets pretty overwhelming.” To avoid feeling overwhelmed, she selected yearlong courses that she enjoys. “Just find subjects that you’re really interested in, and I think you’ll be more motivated to do the work,” Yao said.
In between deadlines and applications, senior year is also a student’s final hurrah before embarking on a new chapter of their lives. By prioritizing family, recognizing their limits and developing strong time management skills, students can create a balance between their schoolwork and activities, ultimately achieving a feeling of fulfillment as they walk across the graduation stage in caps and gowns.
