The Cost of Graduation

My senior year of High School is coming to a close. It's hard to believe, but there are only 51 days until graduation. Wow.

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This year seemed to have revolved around money and finances. Paying for college, which of course includes paying for scholarships, calling financial aid offices across the country, filling out the FAFSA etc.

This year, I've tried to focus on saving money for college next year for me to spend, as well as trying to save my parents money because I know they're stressed out about paying for my education. I can deal with that. I don't mind saving some of my money because I know I can use it later, but the end of this year is getting VERY expensive very quickly.

Let's just do a quick cost break down of my second semester of Senior year:

AP Testing (I'm taking four tests): $364
Visting Colleges over Spring Break (lets include gas and a one night stay at a hotel): $160
Prom Bids (I'm paying for my date as they're coming from a different school): $140
Prom Dress: $90 (I'd say most peoples cost at least double this though. I found mine on sale)
Miscellaneous Prom expenses (sweatshirt, lakehouse rental, gas, boutonniere, etc.): $150
Graduation Dress (this isn't necessary, but I'm saving up for a specific one): $180
Senior Breakfast Ticket: $10
Grad Night Ticket: $45
Graduation Announcements: $70
Graduation Party (luncheon for the family with 20 people, $25 a person): $500
Graduation Presents for friends (lets say for 5 close friends): $100
College Freshman Orientation (Let's say two nights in a hotel and gas): $200

That comes to a grand total of......... drumroll please...............

$2,009

That is the cost of graduation. Of course things like Prom and a new graduation dress are optional, so with the necessary expenses of AP testing, college visits, graduation announcements, and a small grad party:
$1034

*Insert Crying Emoji Here*

So why is it that as we're preparing for the most expensive four years of our young adult lives, that we spend so much money? Some of these expenses are split between parents and students, but I would say that these are conservative estimates.
The average price of a Prom dress at our school most likely brushes $300, and if your college is in California, you have to add another $1000 for plane tickets.

I personally think that this is a bit silly to spend so much money on some pretty frivolous things as we're so stressed about maying for college, but that seems to be what our school system and community has instilled into our minds.