Whether you want to believe it or not, high school is the best best four years of your life. I hope that this article reminds those of you still in high school to appreciate the time you have, because trust me when I say that it flies by. Here is a list of the things you will definitely miss about high school:
1. Homecoming Week
You will find yourself desperately searching for reasons to dress in crazy-themed costumes just to post pictures with all of your friends. You'll miss those late nights in a barn, stabbing yourself with chicken wire and having sore hands from stuffing tissue paper. You'll miss searching for that perfect dress, car and escort.You might not realize it now, but it will happen.
2. Familiar faces
I remember graduating and thinking to myself just how ready I was to meet new people and start over. It didn't take very long for me to realize how much I missed the people I had known for 13 years. The ones who knew me through every phase in life. I miss the "Remember when's" and the comfort of knowing my surroundings.
3. Prom
This is a huge one for me. There is truly no better season than Prom season. The dress shopping, hair appointments, tanning packages, mani/pedis, "PROMposals", corsages and picture-taking. This doesn't even cover it all, but if you've been to prom, you know the process. It is truly the best and most stressful couple of months in high school. You'll miss it, I promise.
4. Feeling independent while still being dependent
You know the feeling... getting your license, buying your first car and applying for your first job. These are adult-like responsibilities that truly make us feel independent. However, what you don't realize is that after graduation, some not-so-fun responsibilities are expected of you. High school is great, because you may be expected to drive to school and find a part-time job, but most of the time, you still live at home and Mom and Dad probably still pay for a majority of the stuff you have. Enjoy this small amount of freedom, because entering into adulthood can be a scary thing.
5. The teachers
We all have that one teacher that we immediately attach to. They're the ones that write us notes to get out of class just to come hang out with them. We trust and respect them so much that we feel comfortable confiding in them. Even after actually being in their class, we continue to interrupt their planning period just to see them. I had one of those, and unfortunately, I haven't even spoken to him since graduation. Sometimes when I make a bad grade here at college, all I want is to have a nice long talk with him, just to hear him say, "You're a smart kid, Stone. You'll bring it up." Let those teachers know how much you appreciate them, because you are going to miss them so much when you graduate.
When you're overwhelmed with homework and tests, just remember that this is just a quick stop on the road. High school is hard, emotional and exhausting. However, it is also memorable, exciting and carefree. Try to soak it all in while you still have time.
