Congrats! You’ve made it! All those late nights studying, due dates, tests and quizzes have led to this moment: Graduation. Take a moment to realize you will never walk the hallways of your high school again as a student. You will never cheer in the student section at a high school football game under the lights. You will never get dressed up to head out to prom again. And to be completely honest, you will never see some of your classmates again. By the time you will probably visit your high school again, you won’t be that same person anymore. You will have changed.
This all sounds so depressing, but the act of graduating really is bittersweet. You will get to put on your cap and gown and then some of you will finally feel it. You will feel the rush of nostalgia. In that moment, you will ask yourself where the time has gone because the person that is looking back at you in the mirror in the cap and gown is not the same person you felt you were just yesterday. You will attend a few award or church ceremonies, and then the day will finally come when you have to walk across the stage at the auditorium. You will listen to your class valedictorian and salutatorian talk about the past and future, and maybe you will shed a tear or two looking around at your class. The moment you walk across the stage to get your diploma will probably be one of the best days of your life because it signifies the closing of one chapter.
Once you are officially done with all ceremonies, you’ll officially be onto starting the next new chapter of your life. And while this feels absolutely fantastic, my biggest advice for the summer before your freshman year of college is to appreciate everything. Appreciate the people who have been there by your side since day one, say thank you and I love you to your family endlessly and hug your friends more often. Take in the atmosphere and little unique things about your small town; it will have changed by the time you come back, trust me. Visit all the places around your hometown that you haven’t had the chance to see yet, like a new cafe or store. Appreciate the home cooked meals and calling up your friends to go get something to eat. Talk to the people from your class you normally don’t talk to; you never know when you’ll see them again. Plus, everyone could use a friend during this changing time. Make sure to spend as much as you can with your family and friends; you will remember these memories the next time you're homesick. And lastly, keep some of your high school things like awards, jerseys, homecoming shirts, pictures, etc. because that was a huge chapter of your life and it was all a factor in shaping you to who you are today.
College is so exciting and fun, but don't wait until you're already gone to appreciate what you had. Appreciate this amazing summer and make the most of it. Congrats class of 2016!
