Dear High School,

I walked down your hall ways countless times a day. Sometimes with joy, frustration, and stress. But I never realized that I would be sitting down thinking about all the things you've done for me today. You've put me through hell and back, believe me. Yet, you gave me some of my lifelong friends. But, still remained to let me drown in adversity. However, I learned how to swim.

I definitely don't miss the lunches. The long block scheduling. Weekly vocab quizzes, that really don't aid in my college journey. A teacher asked if I missed it. Every senior student rushes to leave. I did too.

However, you know what I miss the most? I miss the connections I had with my teachers. I've made life-long friendships with certain teachers at my high school. I know that opportunity is at Penn State but it's very slim. High school teacher to me isn't the one just trying to make the grade. It's the one dedicating themselves to not only prepare a student but open a new door for them with life long lessons ahead.

I thought college was going to be the one to teach myself who I was as a person. However, it was the four years of high school that did that for me. However, I don't miss high school but I miss the valuable lessons that were constantly circling around me.

High school teaches you how to connect with people and get them to learn things about yourself that you've never even thought to confront. It gives you many challenges to face. Especially, when a teacher questions who you are or doesn't let you be who you truly are.

One of the most important things you have taught me is to not be afraid. Growing up is definitely a scary thing. Learning to manage bills, money, and your social life all comes with leaving high school but we sometimes forgot to acknowledge the world around us. Life isn't going to stop to have a pity party for our fear for life after high school. Life tests us because we aren't just meant to have dreams. We are meant to live them.

So, I thank you high school for setting my foundation for the real world. Also, for shaping me into the person I am today. For not placing judgement on me or my fellow classmates but for allowing us to take responsibility and transform ourselves into who we are meant to be. Without you, I do not exactly know where I would be right now, let alone at Penn State.

I hope that you are currently teaching all the freshman and seniors what it takes to make it to the next level. Don't forget to test them because believe me they will miss the things that you provided. But they will never take for granted those lessons and friends you granted them with.

From,

A Grateful College Student