The realization and shock of you being a senior has finally settled and Christmas break is around the corner. You probably want these next few months to fly and are anticipating the end of May/early June when you can finally walk across the stage and receive your diploma. Well, let me tell you a few things about your second semester of senior year.

Yes, as a senior in high school I was so ready to move on and go to college. I often wished my time away a senior year and took many things for granted. I didn't come to realize how my life was going to change until after I accepted my admissions offer to Purdue University in late February. It finally came full circle that I was finally moving on from high school. And it was scary.

You become very nostalgic in your last few months of high school. You try to remember all of the small moments with your friends whether it was walking down the same yellow-walled hallways to being in the cheer block with your friends. These might be cliche and subtle things but you really will miss those times once you leave.

You will probably begin to slack off in your classes in your last few months of senior year. You might have had the thoughts of "What are they going to do? Not give me my diploma?"

Put at least a little effort into your classes those last few months of classes. It will definitely start you out on the right foot once you get to college. Don't just do the bare minimum to get by either. Finish these last four years of hard work on a good note as you transition into your next phase of life.

Your last few months of high school will go so fast. You hear it over and over, but you never know really how fast it goes until you park in your same parking spot, open the same locker, walk the same hallway, see your favorite teachers, eat your last Crispito for lunch, and hear the last bell for the last time.

My biggest advice is do not wish these times away. My last few months of high school were so memorable. Don't hold the grudges with anyone and appreciate everything your high school has done for you. But you didn't get to this point alone.

As I stated above, it get's crazy your last semester. From the senior trip, banquets, senior prom, honor day, and other activities, you will wonder where the time has gone. Stop yourself in the whirlwind of senior stuff to thank the ones that have gotten you there. Thank your teachers and administration for everything they have done in the past four years.

Thank your school counselor that does so much for you behind the scenes with college applications. Thank your best friends for being the support group you needed. And lastly, thank your family members and loved ones. They have supported you the most during your schooling years. I already know they are proud of you.

Enjoy your graduation day. Take everything in with your class till the last second. Look up in the bleachers and find your family (probably crying), but be ready for your own emotions to take hold of you. You can't believe it, these last few months really did fly and you regret wishing it all away. Take these moments in and be proud of yourself, graduate. You are ready for your next adventure!