This is it. This is the year that you end one chapter of your life and begin another. This is the year you leave everything behind and begin new; make a whole new group of friends; finally find your true self and bloom into the amazing adult who you were meant to be. Of course you are used to your everyday routine; getting to school at 7:55 when class starts at 8:00. But unlike some, you had to be at school by 7:45 in the block formation during marching season.
After marching season, it was 7:55. Believe me, when you graduate, you ARE going to miss it. It may not seem like it because you are going to be fresh out of high school and ready to begin your new chapter: college.
But, enjoy your last year. Enjoy waking up early and getting to do what you love most; creating music with the most amazing group of people. Enjoy the friends you have now, only a select few will stay with you. The majority of your graduating class will move away to the school of their choosing and never look back. Once they get their first taste of freedom, they will do almost anything to stay away from the small town that they have learned to hate because there is absolutely NOTHING to do.
Living in a small town does have its perks though. Always be thankful for what you have and DO NOT become selfish or think your shit doesn’t stink. While you are still in high school, do your very best. Don’t just settle for those C’s and D’s like I did. Trust me. Your life will be a lot easier. Also, don’t wait till the last minute to do an assignment, as I am speaking from much experience. Especially with scholarships. Have your application in as soon as the window opens. I know everyone says that senior year is the best year, but it’s honestly the most stressful. Take it in stride and don’t let yourself get carried away with all of the deadlines. You WILL be okay.
Fast forward through the summer and here we are for your first year of college. This is the year that will send you into a downward spiral because everything is so different. Don’t do as I did and play your whole freshman year. This will cost you scholarships and force you to take out loans. College is NOT a game. College is for you to further your education so you can have a higher paying job, not for you to go party and get drunk and try to look cool in front of everyone. Surround yourself with people who are just as serious about their education and you should be
Also, don’t rebel so much against your parents. They are only hard on you because they love you and you are the most important person in their entire world. If mom says be home by midnight, be home at midnight. I’ve grown to learn that actually obeying their rules will get you a lot farther than constantly rebelling. It will also keep the house pretty happy as long as you live there. You won’t have to walk into them yelling at you and threatening to take your stuff away (even though you already pay for everything you have).
Cherish the time you have with your parents because they won’t live forever. Don’t talk back to your mom and dad when they get onto you. Accept the tough love and appreciate it, because at this point, I am very close to moving out and I am already starting to miss it and I haven’t even left them yet. So if you take anything from this letter, take this: strive for excellence in school, make friends with amazing people, and love your parents no matter what.
