As the year approaches its end for Foothill Technology High School’s (Foothill Tech) senior class of 2026, each student begins to move onto a new chapter of their life. Many students have decided their college, their major, their trade school or other future plans; and senior burnout is affecting everyone, even some of the top ranked seniors. Over their years at high school, these seniors have collected a better understanding of the high school experience and how to thrive. Some of these ranked members of the class of 2026 gave their advice below.
Asher Bayless ‘26, rank one
Q: What was your most challenging class?
A: Maybe AP Calculus (Calc) BC or AP Physics.
Q: What would you say to a junior or a sophomore going into that class next year?
A: Definitely pay attention in class, do your homework … utilize all the resources that you have. There’s lots of practice FRQs … I know for physics [FRQs] really help. There’s a ton of resources on College Board as well as YouTube videos … utilizing your teachers and your peers [too].
Q: What do you think is your best memory from high school?
A: It’s all the friends and times I’ve had … I’ve gotten really close with a lot of my friends from cross country. … I’d encourage, even if you want to be academically successful, to still focus on your relationships. And sports are always a great way to make friends.
Cynthia “Cindy” Hu ‘26, rank six
Q: What are your plans for college and beyond?
A: I plan to major in applied mathematics and I might do a minor in physics … Those are my strong points in high school and I find physics very fascinating. … Being a math major can get you a lot of different opportunities, not just in math fields but also in software and tech … It’s a very wide variety of things [that] I could do. I’m gonna take it day by day, and I’ll figure it out [when] I’m at college.
Q: What year of high school was the most difficult for you?
A: Definitely junior year. I had the most AP classes that year, and I did a lot of self-studying for APs I was taking at other schools. … I prepared all of that on my own; I didn’t have a tutor. It was just not something my family could afford at the time. On top of that, I was taking my first actually difficult language class, AP English Language. Writing is not exactly my strong suit; that changed for me my junior year. … I think [AP English Language] was the hardest class that I took.
Q: How did you deal with the stress of AP classes?
A: Rely on your friends, your teachers and your support group. Many people tend to forget that your friends are not just there to have fun, they’re there to help you. … Your teachers are always there for you [too]. If you come up with a question, they will be able to help you. A piece of advice to the underclassmen: don’t turn to AI. As much as you might feel desperate, … don’t do that. It makes it so much more difficult for you to enjoy the class … [and] it’s harder for you to understand [the material].
Q: What is a favorite memory that you’ve had in high school?
A: Probably talking with all the teachers. As a senior, everyone says you’re “checked out,” … and the teachers are pretty chill. I’ve just been really enjoying … having a really relaxed class environment.
Q: Do you have any more words of wisdom?
A: Don’t take it too seriously. If you get a B … or don’t get the grade you want, it’s not going to be the end of the [world]. I remember talking to my parents, and they obviously had a pretty high expectation of me. They wanted me to get into a UC and pursue a medical degree. … I told them this is my life, I’m going to live it how I want to. You only get one chance, … you only get one high school experience, so enjoy it. … Don’t focus on the grades.
Keera Wallace ‘26, rank seven
Q: What was your most challenging class?
A: I’d say the most challenging class I’ve gone through is Calc BC. It really challenged how I think because I don’t have much of a math brain. All the classes I’ve taken, I was able to kind of get through them. … When I entered Calc I didn’t really feel the same way, but I’ve been able to improve throughout the year.
Q: What would you say to a junior or sophomore going into that class next year?
A: Definitely do your homework, even if it seems easy. You’re still learning how math works and that was really important. … Study hard.
Q: Besides academics, what do you focus on outside of school?
A: I do cross country and track. It’s definitely nice to have a balance, take your mind off school and it definitely helps academically as well.
Q: What is a favorite memory that you’ve had in high school?
A: One of my favorite memories [was] before our chemistry test and our physics test. [My friends and I] always had a study group … [were] we all just go to Coffee Bean [and] rent out the back room. There’s whiteboards and everything. I definitely recommend that, it’s super fun.
As the class of 2026 prepares for their departure from Foothill Tech campus, and for their final steps at graduation, graduates from middle school shadow their anticipation for a new chapter in their lives. For incoming freshmen, graduating seniors can offer both advice and role models for the impending high school years.
