I know summer is only half over, but for high school band kids, the year has often already started or will be starting soon with band camp. "American Pie" jokes aside, band camp as a freshman is a great way to get to know some upperclassmen and not feel as freaked out for the start of your life in high school. I know walking in on the first day of school I felt way more prepared than most of my friends because I had spent the past month wandering around the school for rehearsals.
Now, I can't help but feel bittersweet as I see my friends getting ready for another year of band camp. I look back and think, "how did this happen so fast?" The next time I visit my high school, I'll be sitting in the stands instead of marching onto the field and I'm still in denial that I'm leaving for college in a month. It feels like it's only been a few months since I was in their shoes, excited for another season but also dreading the coming school year. So, class of 2019, here is my advice to you.
Don't put off finishing your college applications. You think that you will have more time than you actually do. I hated spending an entire weekend cranking out my applications, and I only had four, but in the end, I was so glad I got them out of the way. I submitted everything before the end of October, and I was so glad I knew I had plenty of time to fix stuff if anything came up. Also, if you apply to places with rolling admission submitting your application earlier means you'll know if you got accepted or not earlier.
Make memories! Being in marching band, you don't really have the option of missing a football game, but if you're not a band kid, go to at least one! There's no energy like that of a student section at a Friday night game. Put yourself out there for your last year! Even if you've never been a social person, go to homecoming and prom with your friends at least once.
Spend time with your parents, and try to get to know them as more than just the person who created you. Go out to lunch with them, see a movie, or just have a board game night. You might not realize it now, but you will definitely realize how much you're going to miss seeing them as move-in day looms closer every day.
Be the kind of upperclassman you wished you had as a freshman. As a drum major this year, I tried to set the best example I could and get to know as many of the freshmen as possible, and I'm so glad I did. I'm going to miss them like crazy, but I'm also so happy for the next three years when I come back for alumni night I'll get to see some amazing people.
My final piece of advice is to try and think of at least one good moment every day before you go to bed. The next few months are going to be full of lasts: last band camp, last parade, last football game, last contest, last rehearsal, last concert, last band banquet. This may be a year of lasts, but it's the beginning of the rest of your life.
