Dear High School Seniors,
Right now, I know that you guys are feeling nothing but anticipation and excitement for the future. Most of you have applied to all the schools you are going to apply to and are beginning to receive acceptance letters. This time in your life can definitely be exhilarating and fun, but it can be stressful too. Either way, don't forget to appreciate every day you have left in high school, because a big change is coming your way.
This chapter in your life is quickly coming to end. Life will never be as carefree for you as it is now. Choosing what school you are going to attend is a big decision that affects you for the rest of your life (no big deal). And as that May 1 deadline approaches, you find yourself wondering if the school you want to attend is really the right school for you. Don't be pressured by friends or family to attend a certain school; you go where you are comfortable with going.
Spend as much time with your friends and family now, because when you go off to college, you'll make new friends and won't see your family as often. After you walk across the stage and graduation is over, you might see a few of your close friends again, but other than that, you probably will never see some people of these people again. Some classmates you will see all over social media and on break, and others literally fall off the face of the planet. For me, I have only seen a handful of people since I got my diploma. The friends you see after high school are the ones you need to keep. They will be some of the best friends you will ever have.
Make time to spend with your family. There are times when you are at school and you just need a hug from your mother, but she is two hours away and you can't get one. A lot of the time, you will miss your siblings too. Though they may seem obnoxious at times, you will miss it. You will miss the shared laughter and inside jokes. Just make the most of all the time that you have left at home, because once you go off to college, you will never "live" at home again.
College life is more than decorating your dorm and stressing over finals. It's figuring out who you are and discovering what you're passionate about. It is perfectly okay nookt to know what you want to do with your life when you arrive at college. Take classes that you find interesting, and you will probably figure out from there what interests you. Be willing to try new things and explore your new surroundings. Join clubs, play intramural sports, start a Bible study; these are all things you can do to find and make new friends. Also, don't be afraid to get to know the people in your residence hall. They could be your best friends for the next four years.
So, as your last semester of high school is winding down, take it easy. Don't stress as much about grades as you normally would (colleges mostly have their decisions). Spend your time with friends and family, not holed up in your room. But most importantly, enjoy the rest of your senior year! You still have prom to look forward to and many more memories to make.
Yours Truly,
Class of 2015
