Perks of Senior Year at Awty

Awty upper school students at morning assembly on the first day of school. (Photo: Gwen Cario)

Senior year at Awty is incredibly difficult because of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The school year is filled with various assessments, a 4000-word essay, required community service/activity hours and IB exam prep. On top of that we have our normal school work and college applications.

Senior Zoe Mitchell describes the feeling of returning to work as “being slapped across the face with a sea bass and then being tied up and left for dead on the shore of a bayou”. Simply put, it is stressful.

(From left) Hélène Chacon and Margaret Schroeder receiving their class schedules for senior year. (Photo: Gwen Cario)

However, to make light of the depressing amount of work we have, seniors at Awty are given some perks:

Senior Treats

Senior treats are essentially little events put together by Awty moms where we are given free food and presents. The best part of these events is that they take place on campus where everyone in the school can see but if anyone who is not a senior tries to join in they are yelled at.

Better Parking Spots

A more trivial perk, but it’s still a perk. Awty student parking is at the top floor of a parking garage, and seniors get the parking spots next to the elevator. The fewer steps to the elevator can really make a change in your life. 

Early Relief

At Awty we have trimesters, meaning three terms of grades. However, when you are a senior, you basically only have two terms. The third trimester is devoted to IB exam preparation. By that time you already know where you are going to college, so the big burden has been taken off your shoulders. We also graduate a few weeks before everyone else gets out of school! 

Leaving School for Lunch

We are now allowed to leave campus for our lunch break, which is about an hour long. Even though school just started, this is already the best perk. Sometimes this means going to the Chick-Fil-A next to school, sometimes it means driving to the other side of town because you feel like going to Whole Foods. For me it usually means exploring the area with pals. The change of scene is really refreshing and makes the school day more enjoyable.