As students approach the end of high school, many begin to face one of the most important decisions of their teenage years: choosing a path for life after graduation. Whether pursuing college, entering a certification program, or joining the workforce, every student handles this transition differently. Through interviews with several juniors and seniors—as well as input from a college counselor—this article explores how students prepare for their futures, the challenges they face, and the hopes they carry with them.
Planning for College: Dreams, Decisions, and Doubts
Derick Singh (12th Grade)
Derick, a senior, has his sights set on college—preferably one far from the city.
“I want to leave the city. I want to go upstate,” he explained, listing schools like Binghamton, Stony Brook, the University at Buffalo, and Maritime College. For him, part of the excitement comes from wanting to dorm and experience independence for the first time.
Derick is interested in architecture and engineering and hopes college will give him the chance to “go above and beyond” in the field. Although he already took the SAT, he chose not to submit his score. Balancing schoolwork with studying was challenging:
“Trying to handle all the schoolwork and study for the SAT was overwhelming…but with time management, you’ll be able to succeed.”
After college, Derick wants to design buildings, whether working in an office creating blueprints or on-site helping others interpret them. While he admits to being nervous about acceptance decisions, he is also excited:
“I really can’t wait to see if I got accepted into the colleges I named.”
Daniel Jin (11th Grade)
Daniel, a junior, is certain that college is the next step for him.
“I don’t want to be working at a fast-food restaurant or something low income,” he explained. For him, a degree represents more opportunities.
Though he didn’t study much for the PSAT, he felt confident:
“As long as you know your stuff, everything is pretty easy.”
For the SAT, he expects to prepare more intentionally.
Daniel hasn’t finalized his college list yet, but Hunter College and NYU are possibilities. He’s torn between two career paths: veterinary science or technology. While he’s been considering these fields for a long time, he admits there’s still a chance he might switch. Mentally, he feels steady and not overly stressed, though he describes the workload of junior year as “a little annoying.”
Denis Isufi (12th Grade)
Denis has a clear academic direction: sports medicine.
For undergraduate studies, he plans to major in biology or exercise science, later pursuing advanced studies in sports medicine if everything goes according to plan.
He is considering colleges such as NYU, Brooklyn College, and Cornell. Reflecting on the SAT, he admits,
“It was pretty difficult. I think I should have studied a little more.”
He explained that he felt his school did not fully prepare students for the exam, leading him to rely heavily on outside resources like Khan Academy.
Despite the pressure of applications and deadlines, Denis says the process hasn’t been too stressful—but he acknowledges that staying on top of everything is crucial.
A Counselor’s Perspective: Guidance, Panic, and Preparation
Interview with Samantha Frank (College & Career Counselor)
According to Ms. Frank, the most common question students ask is how to choose the “perfect” school and whether they should stay close to home or move away.
She notices a shift in recent years:
There are students who want to start working right after graduating high school, “but we still try to direct students toward a certification or some type of schooling to further their pathway.” said Ms. Frank.
Ms. Frank explains that some students arrive in the college office already anxious, often because they waited too long.
“Sometimes people come in a state of panic because they’re at the final deadline and have to make a decision.”
Her office guides students through building college lists, completing applications, and exploring programs outside traditional four-year paths—such as technical programs, co-op opportunities, and organizations like Year Up. By senior year, most students have a clearer idea of whether they want to pursue college or a certification-based career.
Ms. Frank believes most students ultimately find the right place for them:
“With the right guidance and support, people find the perfect fit.”
One Goal, Many Paths
The interviews reveal that while each student has unique ambitions—architecture, veterinary science, technology, or sports medicine—they all share a desire to secure a fulfilling future. They also face similar challenges: balancing school and test prep, managing stress, and making big decisions with long-term consequences.
Whether students are confident or confused, early preparation, self-reflection, and support from counselors and teachers make a huge difference. As these juniors and seniors demonstrate, planning for the future may be overwhelming at times, but it is also an exciting chance to shape who they want to become.