I think I can start naming specific gray hairs for some of my seniors this year...

I mean.. I love them, like I always end up doing after four years. They are legitimately good eggs in all the ways that really matter. But dude...

Gray hair #1 passed with D- 's last semester. It was a SLOG to get him there. Hoping the horse-seeing-the-barn effect hits harder than senioritis this semester and he gets the diploma his greatly anticipated tech college requires.

Gray hair #2. He's funny and caring and so intelligent. And a procrastinating, excuse-filled, manipulating stinker. Has two classes he has to make up online to graduate. Didn't touch them last summer or last semester. Our credit recovery class conflicts with the one class where he thrives in and I won't take from him, so he's now spending different period in the office so I can make sure he gets it done. His parents (who view him pretty much the same way I do) have taken away every single privilege till he gets it done.

Gray hair #3. Failed two classes last semester. After frequent and very frank meetings with me. He has many great, achievable plans, but he is trying to do everything all at once and jumpstart his career and drowning in it. I changed his schedule, put him in the credit recovery class, and told him bluntly that none of those grand plans will hire him without his diploma. Fingers crossed. He's capable, but I worry.

Gray hairs #4+.. there are a lot. Those three weigh on my heart the most, but my seniors this year are all over the place. I have rock stars too, just way more at-risks than I'm used to. I've never had one not make it.. really hoping that holds this year, and really wishing they could just get their shit together a little bit more so I could worry a little less.

Just venting/processing my first few days of this semester. Hope you are all hanging on, and for those of you in high school also pushing and shoving kids towards the finish line, godspeed.