Over winter break, I went home and was able to reconnect with other friends who had gone off to college, as well as those still in high school. One of my closest friends is still a senior in high school, so, of course, we talked about what it's like to be in your final semester after being in the same place for so long. I was never all that popular, so it's not like I would consider high school to be my glory days by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a sense of comfort in the familiarity. College has been great, but there will always be a place in my heart reserved for the seven years I spent at my middle/high school. I'm a huge fan of poetry, so, towards the end of my senior year, I sat down and wrote a poem that went a little something like this:

It’s gone so slow, and yet so fast

It’s hard to believe seven years have passed

We’ve had good times and bad, where we’ve laughed and sighed

There’s been times when we all just gathered and cried

Through stressful times , we’ve not just survived

But, with the help of each other, we’ve all flourished and thrived

Through quizzes and homework and plenty of tests

We’ve made it through by doing our best

We will hold our memories as we spread through the nation

And thank God that he gave us this solid foundation

Pep rallies, football games, and all school mass

We’ve fought our way through every 45 minute class

We’re all going on our separate ways

Knowing that we will all return one day

It’s been a good run

And we’ve had some fun

But we’re a family now

And the time has finally come for us to take a bow

I couldn't find online copy, so this is mostly from memory, but the feelings hold true. Sure, right now it seems like you want nothing more than to escape, but there will be moments in college when you will realize all that you took for granted. College is awesome, but don't let this last semester fall by the way side. Live it to the fullest.