Dear High School Senior,
It wasn’t long ago that I was in your shoes. I understand the stress you have from college applications, the laziness you have from being a second-semester senior, and the excitement you have of starting your next chapter of life.
But let me just say, breathe and enjoy the moment you are in now.
Don’t stress because of college applications.
Where you go to college does not define you as a person, it may seem like a big deal now but 30 years later, the school printed on your degree will be so insignificant. Don’t choose your college based on friends, I promise you will make new friends and you won’t be lonely. Although college applications seem like the biggest problem right now, it’s not. Enjoy your time.
Spend time with your family.
Be nice. They truly will miss you. I am living at home this first year, but between class, work, and social events I don’t seem my family as nearly as often. Your family is some of your biggest supporters so stay in for a night and have dinner with your parents. Watch a movie with your siblings, and spend intentional time with your loved ones.
Cherish your friendships.
I hate to say it, but that friend group that you ate lunch with all through high school probably won’t matter next year. I love all my friends but in all honesty, I haven’t seen them since the summer. We are all busy with the next part of our life and we moved on. Sometimes we honestly become too busy to keep up the connections. I’m not trying to say that you will go to college and be friendless. I have my share of best friends I still go to the mall and out to lunch with. But, figure out who your true friends are and know who is worth the energy. You will only talk to a few of them next year so cherish the time you spend with them. Realize it was so easy to make friends in high school, cherish that. College life becomes so busy that the friendships are very different than the ones made in high school. But don’t be discouraged, you will figure it out and make new friends.
Appreciate your teachers.
I thought my high school teachers were joking when they said college professors don’t care. But it’s true. They don’t care if you miss class, they won’t remind you to turn something in and you won’t get homework every night. Before you say that sounds nice, let me shine a light on how it really is. They don’t take attendance because their class size doesn’t affect their pay or if they are considered a good teacher. They don’t care what you think of them and they usually have no interest if your life outside of school. They won’t give you homework every night. Instead, they give you a calendar of due dates and the assignments online and it is your responsibility to turn things in on time. They won’t remind you of a test coming up, they won’t give you a study guide so it is your responsibility to take good notes and to show up on time to take the exam. If you miss a class they don’t have “make-up work” to give you and they won’t seek you out to collect missing work or make up the quiz. But relax. You will adjust. But know, the first semester is so hard and you will miss your high school teachers. Thank them and appreciate them now. And it never hurts to send an email or stop into your old classes to tell your favorite teachers how much they meant to you or the impact they had on you. Enjoy your classes and teachers now, because next year will be so different.
Have fun.
Most importantly, enjoy the simplicities of being a high schooler. Go to that big sleepover, talk to that guy, and don’t be a jerk to the underclassmen. Next year you will have way more stress due to classes, living on your own (or being more independent), having a job, and the poor college student (aka money situation). Make sure you cherish your graduation ceremony and go to as many grad parties as you can. Have fun with the end of your senior year. It is a huge accomplishment and something to be proud of.
Lastly, don’t be ashamed to talk to your friends already in college. You can use all the help you can get, and I’m sure we have all reached out to those older than us.
Sincerely,
A College Freshman
