With college, adulthood, and their last semester around the corner, many students are using the New Year as a chance to reset. From outgrowing old habits to letting go of drama and stress, seniors are thinking about how they want to finish high school and who they hope to become in 2026.
For senior Brady Thibeau, the biggest change this year was learning to be himself: “I think I’ve outgrown feeling the need to fit in or change myself for others,” he said. “If people don’t like you for you then who cares what they think.”
Thibeau also admits that college has been a major stress on his mind as the year goes on, and he hopes to grow into a better and more intelligent person before graduation.
Senior Zoey Cone also shares the idea of changed mindsets. She shared how she learned to focus on the positive this year.
“A habit I outgrew this year was looking so much on the negative side,” she said. “I learned to be more positive and look on the brighter side of things.”
She hopes to leave behind all the drama and bad energy from high school as she prepares to leave for college, recognizing how those experiences shaped her but no longer serve her future.
Organization and managing stress were the focus for senior Audra Fiano. “A planner can seriously be your best friend,” she explained. “It saves you so much overthinking.”
Fiano hopes to stay on top of her college level biology class next semester and leave behind the negative feelings and challenges she’s faced throughout high school.
She also reflected on a personal shift away from softball, sharing that although it was a big part of her younger self, she is moving on for the sake of her mental health.
Senior Brodie Scott expressed a desire for motivation and growth in the New Year, he says, “I hope the New Year brings a new level of motivation.” Scott admitted that procrastination was something his younger self struggled with, and he wants to leave that behind as he matures.
Looking for peace and smooth sailing in his final year, senior Denatto Barnhill hopes 2026 will bring a better experience than 2025.
“One thing I hope the new year brings to my senior year is just more peace and that it moves much more smoothly”. He added that a lesson he wants to carry forward is to “just keep moving no matter the situation and to not focus on stuff that doesn’t really matter.”
Barnhill is also determined to leave the drama and negative people behind after graduation, explaining, “I refuse to take drama or unnecessary people with me after graduation because I just want to continue to try to be at peace throughout my life.”
In terms of goals, he wants to improve his time management and develop a set daily schedule.
The class of 2026 is closing out the year with clearer mindsets, new priorities, and a better understanding of themselves. Now, they’re prepared to carry those lessons into a stronger, more focused new year.
