To all the graduating seniors,
After four years of eight hour school days five days a week, and after dealing with all the ridiculous drama-related things that come with high school, you’re moving on to bigger, better things.
The last few months of high school are awkward. They seem to really fly by, but at the same time, drag on forever. I know you’re all excited to be done with high school, but I really hope you take time to read this and do some thinking about where you are right now.
You probably just had or are about to have your last high school prom. The sporting events are coming to an end. I just know that senioritis is kicking in harder than it ever has before. Don’t worry, everyone knows it. Just try not to let it get the best of you.
Be proud of whatever decisions you’ve made about your future since January. I wish I had done more thinking about my future sometimes. My father gives me sh*t about it all time, and as annoying as it is, he’s right. You don’t have to go to college as soon as you're out of high school. Community college is a great choice; I know several people who attend community college and they love it. It saves money and if you don’t know what you want to do as a career, then it’s a perfect option. It also allows you to stay at home a little longer. I know that that’s one of the perks to moving to college, but sometimes you have to wonder, is it worth it?
Getting jobs in college towns can be really hard, and most of you guys who are graduating currently have jobs that you’re going to have to quit. I did that, and I was replaced. I’d come back and work every so often, but getting shifts is hard when you aren’t a regular employee. There’s also the option to travel and work. Who wouldn’t want to do that?
The day you graduate is probably going to be one of the better days of your life. There’s a lot of emotions in the air. You’re going to be overjoyed because the torture of high school is over, but you’ll probably be a little sad too. You grew up with these people, you got close with the teachers, you’re comfortable here. I feel like this is something I talk about a lot. But I don’t really give a sh*t because senior year was a great year. High school teaches you a lot about yourself and a lot about the people around you. And when you walk across that stage that Saturday in June, I hope you realize that too. I hope when you get your picture taken with your diploma you have tears in your eyes because you f*cking did it. You made it. Your future is bright. Your family is proud of you. Your friends are happy and celebrating and I hope you are happy too.
They say that college is four of the best years of your life, but I think senior year should count as one of the five best years of your life. Make these last couple months count. Breathe it in. Make some memories. Have a kick ass summer and get excited for whatever lies ahead. I am excited for you. We all are.
- A (Rising) College Sophomore
