Let me set the scene for you: In high school, only a year ago, I was class president. Not only was I class president, but I was also National Honor Society vice president and a communications intern.

Before those positions, I was a member of Key Club, Best Buddies and the student council for years. I worked 30 hour weeks at a fast food restaurant, created my own charity program and maintained countless friendships, a long-term relationship and familial ties.

Through all of that, I even kept up my grades and graduated with a 3.9 GPA.

Some would say high school was made for me.

I thrived in high school.

I thrived on doing the most extracurriculars possible. I thrived at being at the top of my class and being someone everyone knew.

I did not necessarily care about being popular or going out, but those things were definitely perks of high school.

After graduating, I feel extremely blessed that I had an amazing overall high school experience. I know plenty of people do not feel the same. I know I got lucky with my experience.

I made lifelong friends, gained enough knowledge to last me a lifetime and found role models I can not thank enough.

However, I did not peak in high school.

I also do not miss it in the slightest, despite it being an incredible four years that shaped me to be the woman I am today.

The reason I do not miss it is that I know it wasn't and will not be the best four years of my life.

I know there is still so much to learn about the world. I know there are still so many people to meet.

High school is truly a remarkable time in life. We have fun, gain confidence and meet people. It is the place where you make memories, such as prom and senior week.

On the other hand, high school was most people's first time experiencing real life hardships like love, loss and even death. Some of us experience mental illness or extreme insecurity for the first time too. You experience being immersed in drama and superficial relationships.

Through everything I learned in high school — the good and the bad — nothing compares to my first year at college.

I always knew high school was not going to be where I peaked. I have always been the type to strive for more.

People should enjoy high school, but they should not go into it believing it will be the best four years of their lives. It can't be the best four years ever because there is always more life to live.

Life changes drastically after high school ends. You grow up.

You grow out of friendships. You grow out of relationships.

Your final GPA will not matter after you get accepted into college. It won't matter once you start your career.

Your extracurriculars and hobbies will develop and change.

You cannot let the four years of high school define you. You are so much more than what you did in high school.

You can't move forward if you are stuck in the past.

So no, I do not miss high school because I'm a very different person now than I was then.

I kind of like me better now, too.