Advice to the graduating high school seniors:
Breathe. Get excited. Cherish every last moment. Some of you have been with the same people since elementary school. This is the last time you will stand together. Your life is about to change but do not be scared. As you walk to receive your diploma, forget about the future. Live in that moment, look out into the crowd of your peers and appreciate those who have helped shape who you are. You wouldn’t be who you are or where you are without these people. Every single one of them have touched your life in some way, have affected the way you think, how you want to live, or vice versa. The day will fly by so live fully in every moment. Flash a huge smile for your crying parents and stand proudly when they call your name. Don’t think of this as the end, college or whatever you choose for your future will bring you great things. Whether you hated high school or loved high school, you should appreciate this moment and have no regrets about your high school years.
As you prepare for the rest of your life, get excited for all of the amazing things that are about to happen. Enjoy summer before college, spend time with your friends. The people that really matter in your life will never leave your side, you will establish even stronger friendships with these people that will carry on throughout college. They say that sometimes it takes until the summer before college to finally find your place in high school and that is ok. Everything is a process and it all takes time.
Get excited for college. Get excited for new friends and new adventures. Being nervous is good, everyone is nervous. Just know that you’re not alone. But never forget either, everything that has shaped who you are up until this point. Continue to find yourself and to create yourself.
Much love,
from a soon to be sophomore in college