To the seniors that are in such a hurry to graduate: slow down. Take in every single moment. This year is going to be one of the best years of your life. Don't waste it by constantly counting down the days until graduation. Enjoy your last football game, your last homecoming dance, prom, and then graduation. It'll all be here before you know it. Don't get so focused on getting out of high school, that you miss your last year of it.

The fact the you're even graduating won't even hit you during your actual senior year. It won't hit you at that last football game that you wanted so badly to win, it won't hit you at your senior prom while you're dancing with your best friend, it won't hit you on that last day of school when all you can think about is throwing your English binder out the window, it won't even hit you at graduation because all you will be focused on is getting that diploma.

It really hits you when you're down to your last week at home and you're spending every single day with your best friends and family because you know you're about to go your separate ways. It'll hit you when you finally get moved in and it's time for your family to go back home. It all comes at you at once; and yes, it's sad, but it's a chance for a new beginning. It's a chance to start over and meet new people.

So, Class of 2017, enjoy every moment of your last year of high school. College is great, but you have four more years to focus on that. Be plugged in to everything you do during your senior year. Hangout with your friends as much as possible, spend time with your family, go to all of the high school events and go all out. Your graduation day is coming faster than y'all think.

Sincerely, Class of 2016