Top 6 Most Common Senior Year Regrets (and How to Avoid Them)
Alicia’s Photography
Chicago | Naperville | Wheaton | Glen Ellyn
Senior year goes by fast
— ask any graduate, and they’ll tell you: one moment you’re attending the first day of school, and the next you’re tossing your cap in the air. In the whirlwind of classes, applications, and final moments, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks. As a photographer who’s worked with hundreds of seniors (and as a mom who’s been through it three times), I’ve seen some common regrets — and more importantly, how to avoid them.
1. Wishing They’d Spent More Time with Friends
It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of college applications and extracurriculars. But after graduation, what most students miss most isn’t the big events — it’s the little moments with friends: late-night runs for ice cream, inside jokes in the hallway, sitting on the field after practice.
How to avoid it: Be intentional. Say yes more. Plan that movie night. Spend some time with friends in Chicago. Add a Friend Mini Session to your High School Senior Portrait Session. Be present in the small stuff — it’s what you’ll remember most.
2. Letting Stress Overshadow the Joy
Senior year is full of pressure: decisions to make, futures to plan. But many students look back and wish they’d soaked it in a little more — the pep rallies, the senior pranks, the messy, magical in-between.
How to avoid it: Take a breath. Make space for fun. Not everything has to be perfect — it just has to be yours. Join a yoga class, learn to meditate, do something peaceful that you enjoy like taking photographs in nature.
3. Missing Key Deadlines
From college applications to prom dress orders, deadlines sneak up fast. One missed date can mean added stress or limited options.
How to avoid it: Keep a shared calendar (parents too!) with reminders for everything — applications, deposits, senior events, housing, etc. Future-you will thank you.
4. Not Capturing the Year in a Meaningful Way
We’re all guilty of snapping a thousand quick phone pics — but then what? Many grads (and parents) regret not being more intentional about documenting this milestone year — beyond just prom and graduation.
How to avoid it: Print your photos. Write down favorite memories. Record a video journal. And yes, consider a senior session that actually feels like you. It’s not about perfection — it’s about preserving this fleeting chapter.
5. Thinking They Had to Have It All Figured Out
Here’s a secret: no one has it all figured out at 18. Or 28. Or even 58. Seniors often feel like they should know exactly what their future holds — and then regret putting so much pressure on themselves.
How to avoid it: Give yourself permission to explore, change your mind, and grow at your own pace. Your path is allowed to evolve.
6. Waiting Too Long to Schedule Senior Photos
This one comes up more often than you'd think — “We meant to schedule them… and then suddenly it was May.” By the time spring rolls around, calendars are packed, the weather is unpredictable, and photographers (hi!) are often fully booked. What should be a fun, creative experience turns into a last-minute scramble — or worse, it gets skipped altogether.
How to avoid it: Book early! Late summer or early fall is ideal — the weather is beautiful, schedules are lighter, and you’ll have time to plan outfits and locations that feel like you. Don’t wait until the rush.
In the end, senior year isn’t about doing it all — it’s about being present for the moments that matter.
So take a breath. Make a memory. And trust that you're doing just fine.
With love and light,
Alicia Staley Johnson
Alicia’s Photography
Naperville | Downers Grove | Hinsdale | Plainfield Photographer