Dear High School Senior,

You're at that half way mark. Once May comes around you'll be walking across that stage with a diploma in your hands and starting a new chapter. Be proud. However, before that moment here's some advice from an already graduated senior.

A year ago I was once where you were. I was filling out college applications and doing everything in my power to survive senior year. I had a shitty junior and senior year of high school for a lot of reasons and school was the only place that kept me sane. A lot was going on and no one was there to listen and no one seemed to care. So, I put everything into school, trying to keep my grades up that way I could get away from my hometown.

Now, my advice...enjoy senior year. Keep your grades up, but enjoy it. I didn't really get that luxury. Go out on the weekends with your friends. Do some stupid things. Nothing illegal, but do something because college will not be like that.

College is not about parties and boys, it's about a higher degree of learning. My first semester of college, I did nothing. I did all my class work during the week and had nothing to do on the weekends, but I didn't really go out. I stay in my dorm room reading or watching TV. I will admit I went to one party and I hated it. It wasn't my scene and I didn't know what to do; I felt so uncomfortable. I went, but remained the sober friend and didn't partake in any activities. I felt like an outsider there and I was.

Everyone thinks college parties are fun and whatnot. They're not. They're noisy, crowded, loud, etc. and even if you're not claustrophobic, you will be if you go to one. I couldn't have left there fast enough, after an hour, I got out of there.

High school should be fun for everyone. For the seniors it's your final year and you want to go out with a bang, but not a bad one. I enjoyed high school for the most part. If I could go back, maybe I would, but I'm thankful for the years I had. I made some great friends and still talk to them. It's not always the same because we're not in the same town, but we still have a bond that is withstanding the distance.

You've started applying and have probably heard back from some of your colleges, but not all, that's okay. I didn't hear back until March I think with all of my applications. And I hadn't really started hearing back until January I think. I was scared, while all of my friends were getting acceptance letters, I hadn't heard back from anyone. It took my friends talking to me and maybe slapping some sense into me for me to know that I would hear back. The tough art came from when I had to decide. I knew where I wanted to go, but I didn't get in and that hurt a bit, but I still had options.

To be truthful after the rejection from one of my top choices, I had a good hard cry and didn't think I wanted to go anywhere else, but I knew I had to make a decision. So, full disclosure...I put all my acceptances into a hat and just picked. I drew a name from a hat. Now, it may have not been a wise decision, but it was a pretty good one. I still question if it was because I've felt very lonely here at school, but I've always been told give it until 2nd semester and you'll be fine.

As this chapter ends another begins. Take it from someone who knows. Life isn't planned out. Enjoy what is left of senior year. Take it all in. Go somewhere you've never been. Have fun with what there is to enjoy before you're entering college and are no longer constituted as minors.

Sincerely,

A Fellow Graduated Senior