For the majority of seniors, their last year will carry the most impact. This will be the year they apply for colleges, go to prom, and graduate. However, for some seniors, the looming pressure of not having enough credits in order to graduate haunts them.

Chandler Unified School District requires that all high school students have at least 22 credits by the end of their senior year. If seniors do not meet the requirements, they will not be able to earn their diploma. Some seniors face the dilemma of not having enough credits due to either transferring schools or failing classes during previous high school years.

To help students with organizing their credits, counselors Kristin Gregg and Dana Steines, during the second week of school, went around to all senior classes and pulled students out to let them know if they are on course to graduate or not. “We have done that every year since we have had seniors,” Steines stated. “It is the fastest way and most efficient way we can hit every senior.”

Students who are missing credits have many options to fix their problem. Seniors who currently have half days can take their missing class during fifth or sixth period depending on their schedule. Juniors and sophomores can also take their missing class in place of an elective, but they will have to make up that elective credit during their senior year. Students can also take the missing credit through the Lift Lab.

Another option students have is to make up that credit either online or in summer school. “[Students] have a lot more options than they did years ago. They can recover credits online through BYU or Chandler online academy,” Steines explained. While this is probably the least desired option available, the convenience of online classes cannot be denied. When asked what he recommends students to do when they are missing credits, Gregg said, “Get it all done by the end of first semester so you can have a nice second semester.”

The best way to avoid last minute panic about missing credits is to make up the credits as soon as possible. Sophomores and juniors should make sure that they have taken (or will take) all the credits they need and are on course for graduation. Seniors need to double check that they have the necessary credits to graduate. If they do not, they need to speak with their counselors immediately.