To the high school senior in their last few months of high school,

I’m sure you’ve heard it all: “Enjoy these last few months, high school is the best time of your life” and “Count down the days till you’re done. You have so many better things ahead.” Both of these statements may be true. Neither may be true. It really doesn’t matter.

Life is different for everyone. We all have different experiences, and that is okay. Whether you’ve enjoyed high school, are dreading college or can’t wait to start a new journey, I encourage you to live. Just live. Live in the present.

The truth is, you’re never going to get these days back. I’m not talking about your high school years, I’m just talking about life. Life flashes by in a blink of an eye and you don’t know which day could be your last or your mother’s last. So, instead of being pre-occupied with the future (although it’s inevitable), just live in the present. Embrace the moment. Do the things you can do now and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Take pictures, laugh, cry, go to class, skip class, spend nights with your friends, spend Sunday's with your family, go on walks, spend days in bed. Live without pressure to do anything.

As your thoughts on college linger, let them linger. Do the things you can do to prepare, but don’t over prepare. Don’t worry about being “ready” or not, because just like everything in life you will be “ready” when the time comes.

Regardless, if you’re ready for college or not, it’s going to come. That’s how life works. No matter what you’re fearfully dreading or anxiously anticipating in life, it’s going to come when it’s supposed to.

That’s the thing about life. It works on its own time frame (kind of). At times, this time frame may seem different than yours. But in reality, it’s the same time frame, you just don’t know it. We are always only ready when the time comes. Not months before or months after. Whether you pack weeks or minutes before, you’re ready when the time comes. Ready doesn’t mean 100% prepared or 100% financially stable. Ready doesn’t mean you won’t be scare or you won’t cry. You will.

Maybe, ready doesn’t even mean ready. But, no matter what, you’re going to make it. I promise. Nobody is put into a situation they aren’t capable of handling. Trust me. Smile. Live in the moment. Life is ready for you.

Sincerely,

A freshman in her second semester of college