Dear high school graduates,
It’s that time of year. The time you’ve all been waiting for all year, some even all of high school. The time to graduate. Some advice from a college freshman: Don’t rush it.
Flash back to one year ago and you’ll see me in the same position you are currently in. At the end of my senior year, I had absolutely no motivation to study for finals, and I could feel the independence that would come in my near future at my fingertips. I counted down the days until graduation, then until the day I moved into my dorm 1,200 miles away from home. There was always something more exciting for me in the future, so that’s where I focused most of my time. Well, here’s a lesson for you all: live in the present.
I rushed through my summer after I graduated because I just couldn’t wait to bust out of my hometown and experience true independence and freedom. Don’t do this. I know you are excited; I know you can’t wait to meet new people and experience a new place. Trust me. I know. I have a bad habit of living for the future, but this year I’ve really learned that that takes so much energy away from the present.
Most of you have maybe a week left of school at this point (if that). Don’t spend your last weeks putting in as little effort as possible. Make it as memorable as possible. Once you graduate, you will never go to that school again for the purpose of learning. It will never feel the same when you visit. Thank your teachers and administrators for helping you get where you are going, take as many pictures as possible and live in the present. I know how cheesy this sounds, but trust me, you will miss the place you are in right now.
In college, you most likely won’t see your family every week, or even every month. The longest I went without seeing my parents or brother was about 75 days -- that’s a lot! Spend as much time with them as you can. Hug your dad, thank your mom, make funny faces with your siblings and cuddle with your dog. They will all miss you, and even though you don’t think you will miss them back, you will. But don’t worry: it gets easier not seeing them every day after a while. But for the time being, don’t take your time with them for granted.
Your friends will probably be going away to different colleges, too, so spend time with them. You will always have that special connection with your high school friends -- they saw you go through that awkward phase after middle school and helped you transform into the person you are today. Don’t take your summer with them for granted, either, because you will miss them in college. It takes time to be comfortable with new people, but know that your friends from high school are always a phone call away.
You guys only have three or four months left until you are living without your parents, maybe in a different state, maybe even in a different country. Three or four months to do all your favorite things in your hometown, to hang out with all your favorite people who live there, to make new experiences that you may always remember. Don’t spend your summer watching the clock, counting down the seconds until you leave for college. Spend your time wisely and treasure your last couple of weeks as a high school senior. Don’t let August roll around and realize that you didn’t make any unforgettable memories with your family or friends. Leave your home feeling accomplished with your summer and years in high school, and you’ll be ready for a new start in college.
College is amazing. It’s a time to become independent, a time to experience freedom and a time to find yourself. It’s also a time to become responsible, organize your life and figure everything out.
But I repeat: don’t rush yourself into this semi-adulthood. Enjoy your codependency while you can.
Best of luck to all of you seniors, and CONGRATS!
With love,
A nostalgic college student.
