You’ve made it to your final semester of high school, congrats! But there are a few things you should know about the present and the future.
1. No matter what you think, you will miss your parents!
Whether its their cooking, their company, or their love, you will miss them. As high school students we take for granted all that our parents do for us. In college, they're not there to guide you and take care of you. So, while you have the chance, let them do things for you. Let them hug you or kiss you; you'll definitely miss it when they are miles away.
2. Take time when picking your school…
I know that it seems overwhelming when the acceptances start rolling in, but do your research! Make sure you look into things other than just your major. Location, diversity, size of the school… These things are just as important. Don’t just choose a school that has a pretty campus or a big name. Sometimes the smaller schools are a better fit for individuals who need a more intimate environment.
3. It’s NOT okay to ask people if they got into a school-during class.
Not everyone is going to get into every school, and thats okay. If someone gets a rejection letter, or plans on going to community college, its their business. If your friends want to share with you, then they will. The pressure to get into good schools is ridiculous. For some people, they need time to grow before going away, and that is okay.
4. Enjoy your last few months in school with your friends.
The moment when I truly realized that things were changing was when my friends and I decided where we were all going for college. We looked up the distance between all of our schools and cried. We reminisced and planned our visits to each others schools. But the truth is, it’s not that easy to visit your friends. Enjoy the time that you have with them because you will miss it when school starts. You've grown up with these people, sometimes spent more time with them than your own family. Let them know that you cherish them, and make a lot more memories before August comes.
5. Take a moment, maybe right before prom to think about how much you've grown.
You may be surprised by how much you've changed over the years. Especially because the last four years went by so fast. You’ve achieved so much! Maybe you made honor-role, or finally got your braces taken off. Maybe you passed that awful science class, or passed your road test. Whatever you've accomplished, be proud of that. Continue to do great things for the rest of your time in high school. Finish strong, and know, you will continue to grow in college at an even faster rate.
6. Don’t feel bad about going in undecided…
Lots of students end up switching their majors a few times, and that’s okay. The pressure to know what you want to do in life is unrealistic at this age. Test things out for your first year, and finally pick what you love to do.
7. Get excited about college, but also know that it is going to be emotionally draining.
If you thought high school took a lot out of you, be prepared for more. Being away from everything you know is harder than you think. You'll have really lonely days, frustrated days, pull all-nighters, experience blackout weekends, and share new and exciting experiences with the new people around you. Your emotions will be heightened because you're in a vulnerable state. Just remember that everything happens for a reason.
So, don’t rush your last months of high school. I know the “senioritis" is kicking in but you have so much ahead of you. Enjoy the most carefree time you will have for awhile before the real responsibility comes your way. Hug your dog, and your friends, and your Mom. Go for a walk around the city or your neighborhood. Soak it in because soon you'll be somewhere unfamiliar. Enjoy prom and graduation because they'll be both emotional and fun. Take it all in, its your graduation year! It’s all about you right now… You are ending a chapter and starting a new. Prepare yourself for one hell of a rollercoaster.
Sincerely, a second semester freshman in college
