Recently, I saw something that one of my friends, a high school senior, had posted on twitter. It was a countdown with the days until graduation. After some investigation, I discovered that most of my high school friends were counting down the days until graduation. Looking back on my senior year, with a little help from TimeHop, I realized that I was the exact same way. I was over the institution that is high school and I ever so desperately wanted it to end. I wish someone had told me to cherish my time. I was so desperate to move on from my small catholic school and into the “real-world” that I missed out on certain opportunities.
Sometimes, we are all too quick to count down the days that we forget to make the days count. This time last year I was standing exactly where you are. Although I will admit that those last three months dragged on, trust me when I say that you don’t want to miss them. Take advantage of every opportunity you have left with your friend group. You may not remember all of the crazy things you did, but you will remember how hard you laughed or how often you smiled with the right people, your people. I know it’s exciting, with prom, college decisions, senior week, and graduation looming in the near future. Don’t let your grades slip, because after all, you are still a student. Study for those tests and quizzes instead of blowing them off. Take advantage of your time left. Build and continue to keep those relationships you have with your teachers, because they really do care about you and love hearing about your life.
It comes to an end faster than you think it will. Soon enough, you will be attending graduation parties and saying good bye to all of your friends as you move onto the next chapter of your life. The halls that you spent years memorizing, that hold so many secrets, will be a mere memory. As much as you are itching to leave, you are going to miss it more than you ever would have thought you would have. We often don’t stop to take in the moment and make lasting memories until the time has past. Some day in the near distant future, you won't remember anything, besides those that matter the most. The littlest things are often the things that mean the most to us, but are also the things that we take the most for granted.
For the current and future generations of high school seniors out there, please do me a favor: Enjoy every second of the time you have left. As cliche as it sounds, you never know where life will take you. A year ago, I never would have thought I would be where I am today. Take a chance and do something you’ve always wanted to. Spend time with your parents, trust me. Laugh a little harder and make a mistake here and there, as they help you grow as a person. Live each day to the fullest and make the most of every situation. DO something good, make a difference in your surroundings. You’re going to miss it, and you’re going to want to go back. Take the time to say what you need to say.
As ready as you might think you are for your next journey, don’t get too ahead of yourself. Finish this chapter in your book before moving onto the next one. No matter what direction your life takes you, it all starts from where you come from, make it count. It’s exciting and your entire life changes, but it is still in the future, so live in the present.
"Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up/Just stay this little/Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up/It could stay this simple" - Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
