How do students who are admitted to college make the most out of their remaining weeks?

For many college-committed upperclassmen, the time remaining at Haverford can feel strange. The pressure of applications is gone, but there’s still time left until graduation. This begs the question: how do these students actually make the most out of their time left at Haverford? 

“It’s easy to just relax and zone out for the rest of the year once you’re committed, but this is the last time you’ll actually see a lot of these guys every day. I’ve been trying to hang out more with friends and make connections before leaving for college.”

Grayson Morgan ’26

Many students can fall into “senioritis,” a decline in motivation or performance during the last year of school. However, the final months of Sixth Form offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy high school without constant pressure. Classes feel lighter, and students prioritize learning instead of chasing grades. Whether it’s participating more in discussions or taking a class that you don’t know much about, students may be more inclined to learn.

Another opportunity is through community involvement. Students who were not involved as much earlier in upper school can make it up. This includes going to more games, joining more events and clubs, or just being more present in school activities. Haverford has a strong community, and it becomes more noticeable as students mature into upperclassmen.

Sixth Former Grayson Morgan, who is committed to college, prioritizes connection and initiative before graduation. 

“I think the biggest thing is not checking out too early,” Morgan said. “It’s easy to just relax and zone out for the rest of the year once you’re committed, but this is the last time you’ll actually see a lot of these guys every day. I’ve been trying to hang out more with friends and make connections before leaving for college.”

Since committing to college, Morgan prioritizes school events and relationships. 

“I started going to more school events and talking to teachers more. You realize these relationships matter more than you thought,” Morgan said.

For many students, this time is crucial for preparation for the next chapter. Building independence, connections, and good habits can make the transition into college much smoother.

“In the end, making the most out of Haverford isn’t about doing something huge,” Morgan said. “It’s more about appreciating the connections, classes, and everyday routines that won’t be the same after graduation.”

Sixth Former Jack Levensten has taken a similar approach, focusing on trying to be more present with the people around him as the year comes to an end. 

“I think about the fact that after graduation, a lot of us are going to different schools and won’t see each other the same way again,” Levensten said. “That makes you want to actually be there for every single moment you have left with your friends, like hangouts, dinners, and even being in class with someone. You stop taking the small stuff for granted.”

Levensten reflected on how one can have an impact on the school. 

“There’s something special about this time at Haverford that pushes you to carry yourself a certain way. I want to leave knowing that I did right and I set an example for the rest of the school,” Levensten said. “I want to leave knowing that I treated people well and respected what this school is actually about.”

For Sixth Former Avery Paul, the end of the year has been about spending more time with friends and family, and doing more activities in the community. 

“I try to participate in things I haven’t done before, like school events, socializing with teachers, and talking to more people,” Paul said. “It sounds small, but it opened up a lot, and I have really enjoyed talking to more people. I met people I wish I had talked to in my freshman year.”

Paul believes the urgency of graduation changed the importance of friendships and school.

“You realize that your close friends here are kind of irreplaceable. The bond you build together at Haverford is not something you just find anywhere,” Paul said. “I am extremely grateful and lucky to have been able to be a part of the Haverford community.”