As one of the many seniors amongst the 3.7 million others, I have felt many emotions towards the way senior year sadly ended for us. As you begin on your journey into senior year, I ask you to remember what we had all lost. Senior year is supposed to be the big hoorah. It is the year you become an adult, and begin your journey into life.
We all began our high school journey as scared, little, freshman and have grown into ourselves as we experienced the joys and hardships that are thrown our way during those 4 years. We have watched seniors above us enjoy the perks of their last year: prom, prom weekend, senior skip day, senior prank, graduation, the list goes on.
Personally, I have had friends throughout different grades every year of high school. Particularly, I found my best friend, who just so happens to be a junior.
We spent many nights talking, with pain in our hearts knowing I would soon enough have to leave her. Before we knew it, every worry we had about me leaving was replaced with the fact that our year was ended abruptly. Our worry of prom and what to wear to graduation was a thing of the past. Our new worry was how are we going to see each other while staying safe.
Lately, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how I will be leaving her in the fall as she enters her senior year. With this last year so close in view, I wanted to make note of the important things that my class missed out on.
Do not take anything for granted. Each day that you wake up and complain of how tired you are, and how much you don't want to get out of bed and drive yourself to school, stop. Remind yourself that this is the last year you will have to wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning until the day you find a job.
Appreciate your teachers for everything they do, as annoying as the work may seem, they are giving these lessons to teach YOU, and help YOU grow. They are slowly readying you for college, and they have put many long hours into planning those lessons for you.
When prom comes, pick the prettiest dress you can find, do not worry about going with a date. Remember to have fun with your friends, because this is it before you all go your separate ways.
Plan the best (and legal) senior prank you can think of. You know what, do two or three pranks. Wake up early and park your car in the teachers lot, have a water balloon fight through out the school day. Whatever you do, just have fun with it and make the most of your last year.
If an issue with a friend occurs, do what you can to fix it. You are at the point in life that it is time to learn forgiveness, and be able to get past the high school drama. If a boy breaks your heart or you fall in love, enjoy the lessons you learn. As the year comes to an end, hug your besties. Be nice to the kid who isn't loved by all. Make someone feel wanted.
Live every day of your senior year to the fullest that you possibly can. And when it is time, for you to walk the stage in your cap and gown and shake your principals hand, find your perfect dress or button up. Appreciate every single second that you have left in high school, because now it is no longer a tradition or a given. It is now a privilege to experience the fun activities that come along with senior year.
You are so lucky to be able to experience all the wonderful things, that my friends and I were not able to. Make the 2020 seniors proud, and live the fun we did not get to.
