Senior Survival Guide: Senior Project (Part One)

Shannon Donnelly

After the fun of homecoming week wears off, seniors will be faced with the first deadline for Senior Project.  How are you supposed to know what to do your senior project on? Some seniors already have an idea, but don’t know where to go with it or how to find a mentor, and some have no clue what they’re doing.  So here are some pointers to help you find a good topic:

The first step is to think of things you’re passionate about.  Your Senior Project can be about anything (contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be about a career).  In the past, seniors have done senior projects about breast cancer awareness, makeup, art, etc.  You’ll want to do your project on something you enjoy or by the time midterms come around you’ll be miserable.

If you find a general topic you really want to do your project on, talk to your senior skills teachers, English teachers, or Mr. Groccia, Mrs. Lisi, and Mr. Curtis.  They will be able to help you narrow down your topic and find an essential question.  Mr. Curtis is also currently helping many students find their mentor.

Tell as many people as you can about your topic, because you never know who may know a possible mentor for you.  If you’re really struggling, talk to Mr. Curtis or your skills teachers.  They have seen many seniors come through the school, so they have many ideas of mentors you could pick.  If you can, talk to a past senior who had a project similar to yours and see if they can point you towards a mentor.  In the end, though, it’s your senior project, so you will be ultimately responsible for finding a mentor.  Don’t rely on other people to get the work done for you, do some research on your own as well.

Follow these steps and before you know it, you’ll have your proposal and mentor approved, and you can start your hours!