A LOT happens during your senior year. Difficult or maybe blow off classes, sports, parties, college visits, concerts, shows, relationships come and go, Prom, Senior night, Senior breakfast, Senior sunrise, Senior Pictures, graduation. The list could go on and on. My point is that there is millions of memories that take place during your senior year, but how will you remember them?

Yesterday, I dubbed this Spring Break week Senior Week, to celebrate all the lovely seniors that have been through so much over the last year! Today, I’m starting a blog series of tips for seniors to finish out your senior year strong, prepare for life after graduation and of course how to get good pictures (I mean I am a photographer, can’t leave that part out!)

My first topic is journalling. Honestly, it’s not something that I did a ton in high school, but just for kicks, I pulled out my journal from high school today and had some good laughs, and remembered some sweet moments too. I tried to find an entry from close to this time in my senior year. I found an entry from March 23, 2009. It featured the following verse from Galatians 2.

20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

I wrote something about how I heard that similar message multiple times that week, which seemed like God leading me and then ended with some prayer requests. Sweet right?

The very next entry was May 13, 2009. Like I said, I wasn’t very consistent. This entry started with this: “Prom was Awesome! But 2 hours of sleep was NOT enough to last me through to the next day” — The very next entry was May 13, 2009. Like I said, I wasn’t very consistent. This entry started with this:
**“Prom was Awesome! But 2 hours of sleep was NOT enough to last me through to the next day”**

I then go into detail about that next day where I GOT IN A WRECK IN THE PARKING LOT on the way to my grandmother’s house to celebrate Mother’s day. It then goes on to explain how I passed out not once but twice after giving blood and my friend Emily had to drive me home, because I refused the juice and cookie they offered me afterwards, thinking I was superwoman or something. Just drink your juice Shelby. (Can anyone name that movie???)

I ended that VERY SAME journal entry (a little long-winded I know, but like I said, a lot of memories happening!), talking about addressing graduation announcements with friends and seeing people I hadn’t seen in a while. What a reminder that so many big events happen fast during your senior year.

Now, enough about me. This is supposed to be about you gorgeous and handsome seniors out there.

My whole point in writing this is that you should find a way to capture the memories you are making the rest of the year, and journalling is such a good way to do it. I managed to get much better at journalling in college and it helped me to work through all the new experiences that are associated with living somewhat independently for the first time ever. My journal became my place to sort through my emotions. The place to write down both my triumphs and my failures, my fun memories, with the agonizing heartache of losing friendships or missing loved ones. Journalling helps you remember fun times, sweet times, as well as work through the hard times.

Beyond, what I say personally, this article from Huffpost lists the following 10 benefits to journalling:

Stretching your IQ
Evoking Mindfulness
Achieving Goals - we all want to reach our goals right?
Emotional Intelligence
Boosting Memory and comprehension
Strengthen your self discipline
Improve communication skills
Healing
Spark your creativity
Self-Confidence

Sounds great right? Maybe you’ve read this far and are inspired to start journalling, or get back into the habit (I know, I am!). But where do you start? The answer is simple. You just start writing. Write about your day, your goals, your dreams, the things you want to improve on, the ways you feel like you’re failing, what made you laugh today. It could be anything.

Is that too broad for you? Then think about the last moment that you had that you want to remember, and write about it. Or think about an event you are looking forward to, and write about that. It doesn’t have to be every day (clearly, I never have been that consistent) but just write things down.

Oh, and take pictures, take a LOT of pictures. They help you remember things too. More on this later :)

Enjoy some of my favorite high school memories below!