Football Games, College Applications, Prom, and The Classic Question of "What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?". Senior year was the year filled with many lessons, unforgettable experiences, and the occasional thought of dropping out (everyone's thought of it).
1. Seniors look like they know what they're doing, but they really don't
Growing up, I always thought that once you hit the magical age of 18, God dropped his plan for you on your lap and it was just easy sailing from then on. BOY, WAS I WRONG. No matter what age you are, no one has a blue print of their life that they follow because it simply doesn't exist. Senior year taught me that it was OKAY to not know what you want to do with your life, what career you want, etc. Everyone is in the same boat!
2. "Senioritis" is real folks, it spreads like the plague
It is completely okay to be to acknowledge the hard work you've put in the last four years without becoming too prideful and arrogant. Whether that may be winning that state championship, or being valedictorian/salutatorian for your class, or maintaining that B you had in that one hard course, or even simply just surviving senior year! But furthermore, it is much more important to THANK the people who helped you get where you are. All the people that invested in you and believed in you deserve to be shown gratitude, so don't forget to do that!
3. For some, friend groups are going to change, drastically.
You would think that I would have finally found my niche in high school by the time I was a senior, right? For me, I had a great rollercoaster ride of ending friendships and creating new ones in my last year than all 3 years prior COMBINED. Something about people slowly yet surely learning to find themselves causes friendships that you thought would "last forever" to end. And that is completely okay. I personally believe that God allows people to come into our lives for a reason. Whether that may be just for a season, those people you had once called friends helped lead you to where you are in your life.
4. I regret not being friends with certain people sooner
For some reason, people--who you would have never thought you could actually get along with--come into your life the last few months of senior year and you can't help but feel like you've missed out for so long! For underclassmen out there, DO NOT let your first impressions on people DICTATE whether you want them in your life or not. Of course, some situations can't be helped because you didn't even know the person yet, but don't be afraid to take initiative and just go for it!
5. You learn to cherish those moments where you know it's your "last"
Oh my...the last football game, the last school dance, the last pep rally, the last prom. You're going to feel like time is moving WAY TOO FAST (and your parents are going to feel the same way) and it's going to be hard to process sometimes that you're actually kind of... dare I say...ADULTING? (But not really). Everything good must come to an end, but the best thing you can do is savor each second with your friends and family and live in the moment. (BONUS TIP: Don't forget to take lots of pictures, your future self will thank you later!)
6. On the same note, sometimes time is just too slow
You're going to have those days where you just hate everyone and want to burn the school to the ground (Yes, almost everyone's thought about it before) and where you can't wait to get to college so you can have a fresh start and get away from everyone. Classic Senioritis mentally. But remember, your attitude towards the situation can either help or make it worse. Yeah, it sucks sometimes. Everyone knows that. But how you handle the situation is up to YOU. You're never ever ever ever getting these days back so just live in the moment and push through because that Graduation date is closer than you think.
7. It's okay to choose your sanity over that one grade
Yes, we have all been through it. That one night where you're just crammed with so much homework and projects and yet you still have to study for those tests tomorrow. But please, KNOW YOUR LIMIT. Your health is so much more important than a grade. Yes, your school is important, don't get me wrong, but your mental and physical health need to come FIRST in order for you to do your work in a productive manner. There is no point trying to cram and study when your mind and body is telling you to stop. Listen to your body and it'll reward you later.
8. You learn to be proud of the accomplishments you've achieved the past four years
It is completely okay to be to acknowledge the hard work you've put in the last four years without becoming too prideful and arrogant. Whether that may be winning that state championship, or being valedictorian/salutatorian for your class, or maintaining that B you had in that one hard course, or even simply just surviving senior year! But furthermore, it is much more important to THANK the people who helped you get where you are. All the people that invested in you and believed in you deserve to be shown gratitude, so don't forget to do that!
9. Finally, let your parents in on the fun too
Their baby is growing up and it's sometimes a hard pill for them to swallow too. Let them take the pictures during prom even if it takes 3 hours of you smiling and posing. Let them fix your collar for you even if you know how. Let them post on Facebook the baby pictures and how much you've grown up. They've gone through what you're going through and the fact that they have to go through it again with their kid is just as much as an emotional rollercoaster ride for them as it is for you. Most importantly, let them know that you love them and thank them for every opportunity you get.
