Dear High School Graduate,
The feeling of walking across that stage, getting your diploma, and hearing the ones you love scream your name will be one you will never forget. You will often go back and look at the pictures of you and your cap and gown with friends and family, and the smile on your face says it all. You officially are no longer a high school student and are off to big things. You will spend the whole summer imagining what college life will be like and counting down the days until you can leave this “small town.”
Whether you are 18 or not you are officially stepping foot into the adult world when you graduate. You will now be faced with decisions. Decisions of “should I watch one more episode or go to the library and finish my paper that is due in five hours?” or, “should I go out tonight or finish my homework?” “Should I sleep or shower in my 10 minutes before class?” Not all of these decisions will make or break you, but these decisions combined, could. You may feel overwhelmed at times, but thankfully, you will have all the prior lessons that you have learned, you will have your morals and values that have been instilled in you to help guide you and even when all that doesn’t seem to do anything you can always ask for help. Never be afraid to ask for help; just because you are “on your own” doesn’t mean people are hoping you sink. Ask your parents, your older siblings, adults you look up to, or even your professors; they would love nothing more than to see you succeed.
While you are succeeding in life there will come times where you will fail, but, promise me, you will never give up. No matter how many times you fall down, get back up. Even when you think you can’t move forward anymore there is still a little bit of strength left. Use it. Apply it. Watch how it will change you. Remember you are capable of succeeding, conquering the highest mountains, and going above and beyond your wildest dreams. Strength, determination, and a never-give-up mentality are just a few tools that you will be able to use in this crazy journey we call life. No matter what you face, know that you are not alone. Wherever life may take you, the mountains you will have to climb and the challenges you may face, you do not have to do it alone. You will have people to cheer you on, to hold your hand, to be a shoulder to cry on, and to push you way past your limits. They will help you to be a better person. You will never be alone in this crazy life we live.
Lastly, as you go out into the world, be unstoppable. Don’t let someone tell you, you can’t do it. Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t let you failures or doubts define you; let them motivate instead. You have a purpose. You will do things that no one else will do. You will succeed. Good luck on all your future endeavors. I’ll always be cheering you on!
Sincerely,
A college student
