There comes a point in time throughout everyone’s education where individuals have to say goodbye to their school. Students have to bid their farewells to the classrooms where they discovered their interest for government or chemistry, to the track where miles were ran with protest, to the halls where they shouted to their friends across lockers about how hard the calculus test was, and to the place where we all discovered who we are as unique individuals.
We learn how to say these goodbyes at quite a young age. It starts off in elementary school after the fifth grade send off, then again after middle school with the eighth grade promotion. And finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for throughout your entire education approaches: high school graduation. You finally get to leave high school. Only now that it is eerily close, it seems as though you’d like to rewind a few years or so to relive some of the best days you’ve had in that old building you once couldn’t wait to get out of.
To the current seniors, our time is now very limited to fulfill all of the opportunities our high schools have provided us with. So class of 2017, take these 17 points and do them before you walk across that stage for your diploma… you may realize a few things that can’t be learned anywhere else. And for those who may still have a while left before graduating, I urge you to take some of this advice from a high school senior and make your own experience that much better.
1. Join a club.
This one may seem obvious, but it is one that students often don’t pursue. I get it. It can be frightening to put yourself in a brand new activity, especially if you can’t convince your friends to do it with you. But don’t be afraid to pull a Troy Bolton.
2. Step out of your comfort zone.
Remember that guy or girl you had a crush on freshman year that you never brought up the nerve to talk to? No more hiding. Step out of your comfort zone a bit and just go have a conversation with them. Yes, it may feel risky… but that’s the point!
3. Stand up for someone.
People get antagonized everyday for simply being themselves or trying to fit in, but it is not too late to help those people out. Now I’m not saying take a punch for someone next time there’s a fist fight in the cafeteria. However, it is extremely easy to say “Hey, cut it out” when you see someone picking on another individual. Something as simple as those four words could really change someone’s life.
4. Make a new friend.
Before you dismiss this one, I know you have people in your classes whom you have never even spoken a word to… so keep reading. Quite frankly, I find it sad that most of us spend four years (more or less for some) with our classes and never get the chance to form bonds with the majority of other students. Now this doesn’t mean you have to create lifelong friendships with every other student in your class, but you should make an effort to get to know people with the remainder of the time you have left together.
5. Go to a band/choir concert.
I’ll admit that even I, myself, am guilty of not attending all of the band and choir concerts that my school has had to offer. But, the students who perform at those concerts really work hard to provide audience members with a good show and they deserve some positive recognition from fellow class members. Additionally, you could use that time at the concert to just relax with some friends and listen to new genres of music that don’t include vulgar words like half of the songs on the radio do.
6. Go to a school sporting event.
The unfortunate fact for all seniors is that your chances to go to high school sporting events have been diminishing day after day. This last month for seniors is truly your last month to attend games, show off your school colors, and express how great your school has been to you with pride. Why not take these opportunities for the last time?
7. Go to a school dance.
Remember when I suggested you step out of your comfort zone? School dances provide the perfect opportunity to do so. You have a chance to take that special someone on a night out, or you can spend that time with friends! Granted, it is just to your school’s gymnasium, but you’re only going to have as much fun as you allow yourself.
8. Put effort into your schoolwork.
Regardless of how hard you worked in classes the last four years, the fact for all seniors is that senioritis is real. I know what you’re thinking: you’ve been in school for almost 13 years now, you’re tired of it, you just want to move onto the next step in your life. Totally understandable. But success is something that has to continuously earned. So my advice to you is to put effort into what you produce now so you can feel accomplished and righteous when you hear your name called to walk across the stage and receive your diploma.
9. Read a book.
Yes. I know some of you have not actually read the assigned class books. In fact, a lot of you probably have Spark Notes to thank for your B in English class. It is time to embrace your inner nerd and read the book you were supposed to read sophomore year... or just anything really, it doesn’t have to be some elaborate AP novel… with that being said I do however hope it is something above the eighth grade reading level.
10. Thank your teachers.
Teachers, believe it or not, truly do care about your education. For as many hours of homework they’ve given you, they’ve stayed late at work creating lessons and activities, grading papers and tests, and worrying about the sake of each and every student. Before you leave the halls, make sure you show them how appreciative you are for having them as your educators. All of them... even the one you strongly dislike for giving you a C+ when you really deserved a B- at the least.
11. Try something new in the cafeteria.
It may not match up to your mom’s cooking, but high school cafeteria food is something to remember. After high school, you’ll realize just how much you’re on your own when you don’t have food being served to you with a smile from the lunch ladies. So before you leave the halls, make a change and try something new for lunch to really appreciate your time as a child and young adult.
12. Make your voice heard.
Whether you’ve been loud or quiet, the time is now to really get your final thoughts out there to your classmates. Give a speech at graduation, say more than the minimum for points on the next group discussion, or maybe even become a writer for The Odyssey. If you have a message or advice, make yourself heard especially in your final days in the halls… you might find that your thoughts have become quite extreme due to the ticking tock before graduation.
13. Make amends with your enemies.
My optimistic hope is that no one has any absolute enemies that they have made in high school, but I do understand it is very common for friendships to turn into complete debacles. Improving these relationships before you leave high school will allow you to clear your conscious before voyaging into your new life. Also think of it this way… what if the issue you had with another person seems irrelevant to you, but leaves the other person feeling like they’re in a constant state of guilt? Allowing redemption for yourself and others is a great way to leave your mark before finally stepping into adulthood.
14. Look around.
Some people go their entire lives just going through the motions, which prevents people from really looking around and observing their surroundings. I find this to be a shame due to the many beautiful things our world has to offer. If you have not noticed any of these beauties, make sure to take one final look around to truly soak everything in for the last time.
15. Take part in the class prank.
Before you leave the halls, make one last rebellious (but not too rebellious) mark on your school. As long as your class gets the prank approved, I don’t really see any reason to be against this point of advice. In fact, I believe you could knock out a lot of these 17 points just by participating in the class prank. Think about it, you step out of your comfort zone, bond with your classmates to make new friends, put effort into something school related, make your voice heard through mischief, and you could even potentially make amends with your enemy all in one.
16. Participate in ditch day.
Okay so I know I said to put effort into your classes for the remainder of your time...but senior ditch day is also another huge tradition like the class prank that cannot be passed up. Use this day to embrace your inner Ferris Bueller. I don’t necessarily recommend the extremes he went to to call himself out of school, but whatever works for you should suffice… as long as it’s legal.
17. Reminisce on your time in school.
Imagine you're in math class and the bell just rang. You're in a rush to get to your locker and onto your next class. Only eventually you stop rushing. You walk past three people you know and join in on their conversation about the history test. Then you see another friend and stop at their locker to ask them about their weekend. You still have three minutes left to get to class, so you have plenty of time, right? Next you go to your locker, grab your math textbook, and start heading to class. Except the bell just rang. You were late for the first time to class. How did the time get away from you?
High school is a bit like a passing period. You’re always rushed to get out and move on. But, along the way you make memories and friendships...and suddenly you’re not so rushed to move on anymore. The only problem is that time runs out, and rapidly your moment to move onto the next thing is three steps ahead of where your mind is.
I could go on and on about the moments a lot of you could have experienced in high school, but the fact is that this one is all on you. You made memories that are for you, the people you shared them with, and the building they all took place in. Do yourself a favor and really reminisce on the beautiful life you’ve made that’s due to spending four years in a building learning about things that seemed pointless at the time with people that you never imagined would become so close to you. They’ve made an enormous impact on who you are... don’t sell it all short.
