I remember walking into my high school freshman year so terrified from what I was about to embark on the next four years. But I also was wishing the time away. Since middle school I have been counting down to my graduation day. What I didn't realize in middle school or freshman year was how idiotic I was for wishing the time away.
Freshman year was rough; I had horrible teachers, one that actually made me cry in class. I was going through friendship issues. I was still this quiet little girl that was now in a much bigger school with much bigger kids. The school lost our theatre teacher that I was looking forward to working with due to cancer.
Sophomore year was the highlight of my high school career. I had a solid group of my friends. Our school found a new theatre teacher that has helped me grow over the past three years. I started taking theatre classes and was really starting to get involved in a club (drama club, not very surprising, right?).
Junior year was just as great as sophomore year. I got to travel across the world to three different countries with my best friends for almost two weeks. I was cast in my first high school musical (no pun intended) production. I continued with my theatre classes and was starting to get more confident in myself.
And here we are: senior year. It was crazy the summer after junior year to think I was at the top of high school. That summer was almost the time I found out I was going to be able to co-direct my school's fall show. Senior year was full of so many amazing opportunities that I will never forget. I finally had a voice in my school's drama club, which is something I've always wanted. My friend group grew stronger, and these people I hope I keep in my life forever. This was also the year I lost an amazing person in my life. Weeks before graduation my grandfather passed away. The man who had become the father figure in my life. The man who has been there for all my milestones and celebrated even more than me for those milestones. It is hard to believe he is gone and won't be here for another major milestone in my life, but I know he is proud of me no matter what.
Looking back on everything I have done in high school, I still can't believe I wished all the time away. It's terrifying for me to leave such a small town and move out of state, right next to one of the best cities in the world. But I know I'm ready for this next chapter in my life. It's something I've always wanted, and now that high school is over I can finally take the time to appreciate everything I've done in those four years. I just wish I had realized that everything I've done in high school, negative or positive, has made me into the person I am today.
If I can give any advice to kids that are either starting high school or finishing high school next year: Don't wish the time away. Don't wish to move away from your family and friends so quickly. Don't wish to get out of high school so fast, because even though four years seems long, and trust me, some days I felt like I was never going to leave, it flashes right before your eyes. And after you're done, you'll be like me sitting my living room regretting all the times you wished you could get out of high school.
Even though once you leave high school, you'll be excited to go into the next chapter of your life and leave all your family and friends, just remember they helped you get to where you are today. So just take every moment you have wish them and cherish it. Because once you leave and move on, it won't be the same.
