High school graduation: what we’ve been looking forward to since the first day of freshman year. And here we are, now -- four years later -- dressed in our caps and gowns, looking our futures straight in the eye. It’s crazy how quickly time has flown by and how soon we will be on our own.
In just a few short months, our lives will be so much different. Not only will we be on our own, we will also be in very unfamiliar places miles and miles away from our homes now. It will be a strange feeling, waking up in a new bed, making new friends and being responsible for ourselves but it’s time for us to be independent. As much as we want to hold on to our high school days when things were easy and fun, we are also ready start a new chapter of our lives, facing challenges head on. Though it will be a bittersweet goodbye to friends and family, there is so much ahead of us as we take our first steps off the stage with our diplomas. Who knows what is to come? We will be learning and living at the same time, carving the path to our future.
Graduating is a big step toward the future. We will be leaving behind everything we’ve ever known: our friends, families, teams, schedules and possibly who we once were. Graduation allows for a clean slate; whether the next step is college, a gap year or anything in between, we have the opportunity to change who we are completely. It’s intimidating yet welcoming that we can start all over or continue on the same path because it is our choice. Everything from now on is our choice.
Though we will be moving on to bigger and better things, we can still remember all of the times we had growing up. Never forget how your mom used to cut off the crusts of your sandwiches when she was packing your lunch, or how your best friend would show up at your house with cookies when you were sad. Always remember the time your teacher kicked you and your friend out of class for laughing too hard or when you had your first kiss. High school was such an important part who we are today; not only did we learn how to find the slope of a line, but we also learned how to stick up for what we believe in and express what we are passionate about. High school gave us memories we will never forget.
We can also move on from high school learning what not to do again. Forget about that one math test you failed back in junior year, does it matter now? Forget about that kid who never liked you or that teacher who made you cry. We know the standards of how we should be treated now that we’ve gone through four years of teenage drama. And though you may want to forget it, always keep in the back of your mind what the first time you failed felt like. That gut-wrenching, cry-your-eyes-out feeling is something you never want to look back on, but in order to succeed you must fail. Success will be much sweeter after you’ve tasted bitter defeat.
So as we turn our tassels and throw our caps in the air, remember how much we’ve been through, and how much more is yet to come. Take in the last few moments with your classmates because they’re moving on too. It’s okay to be sad because it’s all over, but we have the memories to cherish forever. Graduation is just the start of the rest of our lives.
