Hey, I was just in your shoes last year! I went into the second semester of senior year partially feeling like I could take on the world and partially feeling so done with it all. Senioritis is a very real thing. Throughout high school I was a great student, on the honor roll, only missing class for sports and illness. Then second semester of senior year came along and I was tardy for countless classes and sometimes I didn't show up because I didn't feel like there was a point to EVERY. SINGLE. CLASS. I get it, you're done. But I want to give you all some advice.
1. It is NOT too late to make great friends.
I told myself that there was no point in me making friends during senior year because we were all going our separate ways after graduation. We all did go our separate ways, but I made some of my closest friends in senior year. Friends I know I'll keep in touch with even when we graduate college. So, reach out to those people you've always wanted to get to know! Grab a coffee or some ice cream with them. If it doesn't go well, you'll both go your separate ways after graduation anyways.
2. Don't be afraid to eat alone.
Yeah, I just said that. I spent far too much time worrying about who I was going to sit with at lunch. During college, you will sit alone at least once in the cafeteria and you might grow to enjoy it. If you really don't want to sit alone and your friend group isn't there, refer to #1. Sit by someone totally new and get to know them. That might be pretty awkward because making small talk doesn't come easily to everyone, but it's good practice for orientation weekend in college and in life. But if you do sit alone, enjoy time to yourself to think and reflect.
3. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks of you.
Easier said than done, I know. But once high school is over, you'll realize that nobody else's opinion matters. Being in college helps you to be your own self and you'll realize just how self-conscious you were in high school. So, don't be afraid to show people who you really are. If they don't like you, then who cares? Also, nobody really cares if you don't do your hair or makeup. It takes up too much time to do everyday and nobody will even remember how you looked the next day.
4. Go out with friends every chance you get.
As I said before, you'll go your separate ways. So, do things together now. You'll appreciate this so much when you see each other only for holiday breaks. Plus, with every outing, there is a great story or a great memory.
5. School is actually important, but spending every waking minute worrying won't help.
So you have a quiz tomorrow and you literally don't have time to study? Oh well, wing it. One bad quiz won't ruin your chances to make it in this world. If you've already been accepted to college, keep your GPA to their requirements, but don't freak out if you get one bad score on an assignment. Maybe I'm too relaxed about this, but it seriously doesn't matter as much in high school as it does in college. But, don't fail your finals. Actually study for those.
6. You don't have to have your life planned out.
I thought I had it all figured out. I would go to my dream college for four years, get my Bachelor's in Education, possibly move back home or even stay in my college town, get married, live and teach and be happy. Well, that plan was fully derailed when I found out I wasn't going back to my dream college for spring semester. And guess what? I'm still happy and figuring it out. There is absolutely no pressure to have it figured out. It really doesn't matter if you don't know what your major will be right now. You don't need to yet. Just take every moment as it comes and enjoy your life fully because it won't ever be the same again.
7. You most likely won't reinvent yourself when you graduate.
I thought I might, but I didn't at all. I grew into a better version of myself, but it wasn't forced. When you meet new people and make new friends and try new things, you'll learn so much about yourself and what you really like and who you want to spend time with and you'll grow into the person you're meant to be. You might not grow to be that person until you're thirty, but growing is growing and every tree starts out as a seed.
8. Don't be afraid for what the future holds.
Everyone told me that things were going to be different, and they were right. Things are different now. I was scared of that for a long time before I left home, but I embrace change now. I know that no matter where I am or what I do, I will never be in the same place twice (not literally speaking). I will always be different tomorrow than I am today because each day is a new beginning, and with every new beginning, there are a whole world of opportunities. With every closed door, a new door opens. Learn to love that and accept that.
9. A bad day isn't a bad life.
You'll get through it all, so don't worry if today wasn't a good day. Make tomorrow better. Take a nap, drink some water, eat some chocolate. Make the day a good day. You won't remember 99% of the bad days you've had when time starts to pass.
10. Get involved.
I wish I didn't have to say that more than once. I absolutely loved high school because I took the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular stuff. I played two sports, I was involved in ASB and I joined the chess club at the end of my senior year even though I didn't know how to play chess. Getting out of my comfort zone and stretching my limits helped me to be more flexible when it came to social situations and it helped me to be better prepared to live a fuller life. If you never get out of your comfort zone, you will never grow. It sounds harsh but it's true.
11. Spend every free minute of your time with the people you love.
When you leave home, the last thing you want to feel is that you didn't spend enough time with people. Something I missed most about home while I was away was petting and walking my dogs. I didn't make a big effort to spend time with everyone and I missed it when I didn't have the chance. Call your grandma, have dinner with your family at least once a week, walk your dogs, tell people you love them, text your friends. Just make sure you don't waste your time.
12. Your attitude matters.
... So make it a good one. You don't want to be known as the "Negative Nancy" or the "Debbie Downer". Smile at strangers, say hi to people in the hall, make an underclassmen feel safe and welcome at the school, and sit next to people sitting alone. Every little bit of kindness and positivity does matter even if it feels so minuscule and unimportant. Have a good attitude and work hard and everything will fall into place.
13. Say thank you to your teachers and staff.
Remember that they chose to work at a high school. They deserve to be told that they are appreciated. They deserve so much more than that for dealing with teens all day, every day. Make their day and tell them how much you appreciate their time and dedication.
14. Numbers do not define you.
I cannot stress this enough. Your SAT, ACT, and GPA DO. NOT. DEFINE. YOU. Who you are is not based on how good you did on that test, but how you treat people. You are strong even when you don't feel like it. You are beautiful even when you can't see it. And you are smart, even if your grades don't show it. You're more than just a number. You can change the world. Even if you don't reach every continent, you can change the world for one person. Show people who you are.
15. You can get through it.
Senior year will end. You can get through all of your classes. You can get through all of the trials you're facing. You can get through it if you put your mind to it. Ask for help if you need to. Its not shameful. We're all human and need help sometimes. If that's what it takes to get you past whatever it is you need to get past, take the opportunity. Don't chase your life. Your life will come to you in due time. I'm not telling you to stay at rest where you are or to stop moving forward, but don't rush life. Life has a funny way of happening when it's supposed to happen. Don't fret about what you'll do after high school, what major you'll pick, who you'll marry, or anything else like that. Enjoy the time you have now and embrace change when it comes. Believe in yourself and you can go anywhere.
