People definitely aren't exaggerating when they say that your years spent in college are some of the best of your life. Now that I'm halfway done with my sophomore year, I couldn't agree more with that statement. However, there are some days when I look back and find myself longing for the time I spent in high school.
High schoolers are usually in such a hurry to get out, and not always because they had a terrible experience. Often, the thought of moving on and essentially starting a new life for yourself seems beyond exciting. There is no doubt that this is true, but to all you high school students out there, here are a few things you should try to appreciate before your name is being called at graduation:
1) Life is familiar and comfortable.
Now, I know that high school can feel stressful and overwhelming at times. I'm definitely not trying to say that it's easy, because trust me, I know that it's not. But until you leave home behind and start life in a new city, state, or maybe even country, it's hard to appreciate the peacefulness of being in a place that's familiar. Most people go to high school in the area that they've lived in for at least several years, and there's something reassuring about knowing your way around. Driving down a road and being able to tell a personal story about every building that you pass can be pretty comforting.
2) You don't have to fend for yourself.
There was never a time when I appreciated my family more than during my first semester in college. I didn't know how much I didn't know about everything. When you're in high school, if your car breaks down, you can call your dad to come help you right away. You don't have to be sure which laundry detergent is best to buy, because your mom always takes care of it. If you get a hole in your favorite shirt, your grandma is more than happy to sew it up. Please, I beg of you, appreciate these things. Pretending to be an adult can be fun for a while, but let me tell ya, it's pretty exhausting.
3) Big decisions are few and far between.
Of course, deciding where to go to college is a lengthy and stressful choice. But you don't know the definition of a big decision until you're suddenly forced to know what career path you want to follow, what job is best for you, and where you want to live after graduation. Looking back, I realize that my life in high school was pretty relaxed. Some of my hardest decisions included what kind of sandwich I was going to buy at lunch and what t-shirt I should wear to practice.
4) Sports. Sports. Sports.
Speaking of practice, high school sports are one of life's biggest blessings. Being a college athlete is intense, and while it's an incredible opportunity, I feel that sometimes it becomes more of a job than a passion. Don't get me wrong, I know that playing a sport in college, especially at a D1 school, is insanely exciting. But in high school, more students have the opportunity to play, and they do it because they love it. The game, whatever sport it may be, just feels so pure and innocent. It's hard not to miss that feeling when you have to leave it behind.
5) You're making a million unforgettable memories.
Andy Bernard from The Office said it best: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol' days before you've actually left them." You'll be making memories until the day you die, but there are some experiences that you have in high school that are just simply irreplaceable. So cherish those moments, because soon you'll be looking back and wondering how it possibly flew by so fast.
