It seems like such a long time ago that you took your child to the first day of school, and now that adorable kid is a senior.

Twelfth grade is a pivotal year because it is the lynchpin between childhood education and high education. A senior in high should learn to:

Prepare for what lies ahead

The academic rigor of twelfth grade is meant to help a student prepare for life as an adult. Many students have completed their requirements for mathematics by the senior year, but all students must take English. This course prepares them with the critical thinking skills needed for engaging with the world outside high school.

Seniors who can take notes, analyze, and write logical and well-structured essays are the ones who are best-prepared for life beyond high school.

Develop an ability to work with others

Seniors may prefer to work alone on assignments. Any time teachers assign group work, they hear groans from students who are already envisioning having to find time outside of class to collaborate on projects with peers. That means coordinating around work schedules, athletic events, and social activities.

This group work is only the beginning. Students who learn how to embrace collaboration with others will find it easier to succeed in their careers.

Manage deadlines

By now, a senior should have met with the high school counselor to review the high school graduation plan. Savvy 12^th graders will have done this at the end of their junior year to make sure they are on track for graduation. If not, they may be able to take the classes needed during summer school.

Other deadlines include signing up for and taking the SAT/ACT, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and meeting college application deadlines.

Stay focused

Just because it’s twelfth grade and senioritis has set in doesn’t mean that it’s time to slack off. Professional athletes know that coming into the home stretch is no time to slow down and look around. They power up and give it their all.

Even though your child may have already received an acceptance letter to college, the school work continues. Your senior will need to stay on top of grades, and that means not only doing the assigned work but also making sure that it has been turned in.

In spite of everything there is to do and learn in twelfth grade, seniors should also have time for a little fun as they say goodbye to high school and hello to a new beginning.