Senior year means different things for different people. For some, it's the year that you get to rule the school with all your friends. For others, it's the heartbreaking year full of "last times." And for people like me, it's the worst year of high school where you're ready to get out and move on with your life, but you're still stuck with these people for another year. Whatever it means for you, here are some things I wish I had known my senior year. I hope they help you whenever you worry about the future (or complain about the present).
1. He was not the love of your life.
Not even close. You may have cared for him deeply and may have thought you loved him, but few people know what love is when they're in high school. Some high school relationships do last until marriage, but don't feel too bad if yours doesn't. You'll meet so many guys in college, and while they may not be the One either, those relationships will teach you a lot of things that will help you appreciate the right one when he does come along.
2. It's OK to leave your town after high school.
If the college of your choice is away from your town and from where your friends are going, don't freak out. Everyone's scared of the unknown, but you'll make plenty of new friends when you get to college. It'll help even more if you involve yourself in campus organizations such as a sorority or fraternity. If you still talk to your friends from high school, you can always see them when you're all home for the weekend or a holiday.
3. Graduation doesn't have to be sad.
If you're like me, this is stating the obvious because you'll be that person at graduation that can't stop thinking about what you're eating afterward and impatiently waiting until you can finally change out of your high heels. But for those of you who are feeling more emotional about it, don't. Enjoy your last day with your senior class, look forward to spending the summer with your friends, and just know that this new chapter of your life will be better than you ever imagined.
4. That "C" you made in Chemistry won't hurt you.
First of all, a "C" in a tough class is a lot more impressive to colleges than an "A" in an easy class. Besides, there are a lot of schools you can get into based on your ACT score alone. Stop panicking.
5. It's OK if you don't score high enough on your AP exams.
Of course it would be nice to already have credit when you enter college. Especially if you don't have to take certain classes your freshman year. But if your score on the AP exam isn't high enough, it's not the end of the world. Biology and U.S. History were a lot easier for me in college than they were in high school, so I can say from experience that college classes tend to be easier than high school AP classes.
6. No one really cares in college.
If you want to wear leggings or sweatpants to class every single day, do it. If you want to dress up for class every day, do it. Most people are way too busy thinking about their own lives to even pay attention to what you're doing. Or what you wear. Or what car you drive. And it's pretty great.
7. People have more appreciation for the marching band in college.
I can't even count the number of times people made fun of me for being on the color guard in high school. Sadly, that's just the way it goes. In college, on the other hand, so many people have said wonderful things about the marching band and all of the time and hard work we put into it and how talented we are. So, if you decide to continue with band, colorguard, dance, etc. in college, just know you'll work harder but also get a lot more recognition for it.
Leaving high school behind can be scary, but it's also something to be excited about. In this case, change is a good thing. It's something that should be embraced, so enjoy it. It's all going to be OK.
