To the high school seniors as they start their last year,
Yes, you’re gonna hear this SO many times before you finally walk across that stage for the last time, but it truly does go quick. No matter how much you hate waking up every morning and going to school or even if you love going to school, the year is going to flash before your eyes.
Right now, I know you won’t admit it, but you’re excited to be the top dog of the school. You’re finally able to walk the halls and “rule the school”. You’ve established a solid friend group now and have built yourself a reputation. These first few months of your senior year may just be the most important. You’re going to start applying for colleges and finish up taking your SAT/ACT. Get yourself involved as much as you can! Give back to your small community and build your resume up as much as possible. Colleges truly do want to see a well-rounded student and not the ones who just do well with the books.
Go to every home football game and support the team - even if they don’t have a winning streak. I guarantee you won’t remember the score board, but you’ll remember the memories you made with your friends at those games. Go to homecoming. Yes, by now you know just how really “lame” Homecoming is - but in college, there will never be another night where you can dress up with all your friends and not have a care in the world. Take advantage of every single opportunity high school has to offer to you.
Before you know it, you’ll be in the winter months. Yes, I know you’re REALLY sick of school and the monotony of the same routine. However, don’t wish it away so fast. You should still support those teams that are playing during these months. By now, you’re wrapping up college applications and finalizing things on your resume. It’s starting to get somewhat real that you’ll be graduating in just a few months. Continue to work hard in the classroom because this semester will be the last impression colleges will have of you. Spend as much time as you can with your family as well.
Just like that, you are in the spring months. Some of you may know where you’re going to college while others still might be figuring it out. Be proud of whatever decisions you've made for yourself since January. You’re about to embark on the season of testing but don’t give up or crash. Before you know it, you’ll be driving to school one last time. Now the only thing that is holding you back from graduation is 2 early morning graduation practices. Graduation is going to FLY by. You’re going to be so caught up in the fact that you’re actually graduating that you won’t take in the moment. But please do - this will be your last moments on that football field.
If I could offer you three tips on how to make the most of your senior year - they would be to,
1. Don’t let any moment go wasted.
2. Appreciate your teachers, they want you to succeed just as much as you want to.
3. Enjoy it - the real world isn’t like high school at all.
Make these next 9 months count!
