Hey you! Yes, you. The one thinking about which college to choose, trying to comprehend whatever "FAFSA" is and seeing the last few months of senior year flash before your eyes. This is for you.
Looking back on freshman year is pretty hard, I'm sure. I know that I never thought I'd make it to graduation (I knew I'd get there, it was just hard to picture). It's hard to believe how fast those four years fly by. Soon, you'll be making sure your cap and gown look perfect, only to hang them up in the back of your closet after you're done wearing it for those few hours. I know it all seems a little scary right now. In this exact moment, you're still required to ask to go to the bathroom, you sit in class for eight hours a day, and you've followed the exact same routine for the past 13 years. But, within the next six months, all of that will change. You'll be sharing a small space with a complete stranger (or if you're lucky, someone you already know). You'll be expected to choose what you want to do with the rest of your life. You'll no longer have to ask to do (almost) anything. All of this newfound freedom can be both exciting and overwhelming. But, you're not there quite yet.
I'd like to give you a little advice. As a freshman myself, there are some things I wish I would have known a year ago.
Cherish the time you have left where you are. I know you're probably thinking, "Wow, I can't wait to get out of this crappy place I call my hometown." Well, you're not the only one. But, soon enough, you'll look back and wish you had appreciated it a little bit more. Appreciate the place you grew up in and all it had to offer. It may not have been ideal, but it's a part of who you are. Your hometown will always be a place you can go back to and reminisce on some of your favorite memories.
Go to school. While high school is not anyone's favorite place to be, you do a lot of your learning and growing up there. I don't just mean the learning you do while sitting at a desk, either. You learn how to make and keep friends. You learn to respect not only elders, but also peers. You learn a lot of life lessons that you don't realize until you're out. I know you may not enjoy going to school, but do it. Soon enough you'll be paying thousands of dollars to go; appreciate it while there's little to no cost.
Don't let your "title" get to you. Just because you're a senior doesn't mean you're any better than anyone else in the school. You were once at the bottom of the "totem pole" too, and you had to work your way to the top. Think about how much you've learned. Remember that you learned from the upperclassmen before you, and give all the knowledge you can to those who have yet to be in your place.
Take advantage of everything you have left. Go to the dances, the pep rallies, the sporting events and the class meetings. In just a few short months, you may never see some of these faces again. Take pictures and make memories and cherish everything you've been blessed with in these four years of high school. Hug people. Go on late night adventures that leave you sleep deprived the next day. Have a little fun! Soon enough you'll be saying goodbye one last time and I promise you it is not easy.
Spend some time with your family. By some time, I mean as much as you can. If you end up going to a four-year university that's far away from home, chances are you won't see your family nearly as much as they'd love to see you. So, in the meantime, spend time with them, regardless of what it is. Whether you're watching movies or going out to dinner, or simply just having a lazy day, give them some of your time. They'll appreciate it and remember that while you're gone. Be thankful for all the love and support they give you.
Let go of your comfort zone. As terrifying as that may sound to some people, it's pretty important. In these next few months you'll be letting go of childhood and becoming an adult. You'll meet some people that you'll never want to forget. You'll get the chance to do things you've never experienced before. It's important that you're not afraid to put yourself out there; take advantage of everything you can! I promise you it will be worth it.
Thank the people who matter. This means your friends, family and most importantly, the high school staff and teachers who have helped you become who you are today. You may not realize it, but some of those teachers have watched you grow into an amazing adult that they are proud of. Continue to make them proud and show your appreciation for all that they've done for you.
Now, I could keep going on things I wish I would've known or done, but I think you get the point.
To the Class of 2016. Be thankful. Have fun. Cherish every minute. You've come so far; don't let these next few months stop you from going even further. The whole world is still out there for you to get your hands on!
Love,
A Freshman Who Was In Your Shoes Not So Long Ago
