It is already time for students to decide what classes to take for next year. Another schedule option for seniors called Senior Symposium will be available to students next fall.

Senior Symposium is a way for seniors to have a shortened day, although it differs from the only option for seniors in the past: shortened schedules. The main difference is seniors will have a more flexible schedule all year instead of only during their second semester.

Counselor Kristy Wilkens explained Senior Symposium to be “another opportunity for seniors to explore what’s going to be after high school.”

During their time off of school, students will be thinking about their future and doing research to be more prepared for life after high school. This research will then be put into a senior portfolio.

Wilkens believes Senior Symposium is a better option than shortened schedule for most seniors. Her reasoning is that students will be able to put themselves in a position to be more productive in preparing for their future as they approach graduation.  

According to Wilkens, Senior Symposium is being presented as an option so that seniors can have a smooth transition from high school to college.

Junior Lane Hileman is looking forward to senior symposium because it will give her more freedom and more time to prepare for college.

“I feel like I will be able to focus on taking college visits or studying for college classes because I will have more free time in my day,” Hileman said.

When choosing between Senior Symposium and a shortened schedule, Wilkens encourages seniors to ask themselves, “would I want more flexibility in my overall senior year with doing Senior Symposium or do I just want a bunch of hours off in the spring?”

To be eligible, seniors must either be enrolled in at least two application level courses such as AP Language and Composition or College Algebra or the Eudora tech program. Students can also be eligible if they participate in what’s called a professional learning experience or PLE. This would require students to spend at least five hours a week doing an internship, job or a job shadow.

If any juniors are interested in signing up for Senior Symposium next year, they should fill out an application and attach it to their course selection form before Feb 20. For more information go to Senior Symposium page on the school website at https://www.usd232.org/Page/6753.