As my days as a Viking came to an end on June 14, 2018, I looked back into the hall that you all will fill starting on September 5. My wish to you is that you listen closely because one misstep can ruin it all...

As you know, junior year was incredibly tough on most of you, if not all. It was supposed to be. It's what matters. Those grades you earned, the tears you cried, the anxiety you all suffered through, trust me I promise it was worth it. Senior year is the ending of your high school story. Junior year was a prep to get you all the way through to the end. Sadly, not all of you will care as much as you should, and embark on the wrong path early on. Once you take a wrong turn, especially in the beginning, It's hard to save yourself.

1. The Senior Slide Does Exist

Many of you have probably heard the 2018 seniors favorite catch phrase "the senior slide." For the few that haven't the senior slide is a phrase made up decades ago, allowing seniors to give up on themselves and their futures because they had something to blame for it happening. Listen to me, THE SENIOR SLIDE DOES EXIST, but only if you let it. Promise me, yourself, your parents, that you will not embark on the senior slide. Stick it out for the last 180 days. Do not ruin it for yourself. The work load is nothing compared to junior year. Don't be put on NHS probation because you were too lazy to write your own paper. Don't stop yourself from graduating because you missed 15 days to binge watch that new Netflix series. When I say so many of my classmates didn't make it on stage when they truly could have prevented themselves from failing, I mean it. It may be your last year of RHS and GO VIKES! but college is looking in your window. Don't ruin that for yourself.

2. Don't Wait Until The Last Minute

I had a strategy. I applied to one place. I was accepted into my dream school before senior year even started. I was in Ms. Judge's office every chance I got begging her for transcripts and scholarships. I was set to go, until I wasn't. I changed my mind last minute. I didn't want to move away. I gave myself one week to be accepted into an extremely rigorous program at several schools. I did it, but it doesn't mean it can happen for all of you. Not everyone is that lucky. Don't wait until the last minute. Apply to schools near and far, because even though you think you want to leave, plans change. Apply to every scholarship you can find. I never thought I would be able to say I had a full ride, but I can now, and so can you. It isn't hard unless you make it hard. Just because you don't get into your top school doesn't make you a failure. You can't give up on yourself, just adjust to something else. Don't stress out over the little things because in the end it all works out.

3. Teachers Are Not Your Enemy

The teachers at Riverside are not there to make you fail. Actually, it hurts a teacher when their students fail to learn or understand. They do whatever they can to help you make the grade right. They offer extra credit, tenth period help, tutoring, whatever it may be, a Riverside teacher is willing. 99% of the time it is the student's fault. They try to be cool by not doing the work, or they are too busy with their friends to study for the big exam the next day. They don't apply themselves. All I ask is in the end, if you are one of these people, don't blame the teacher. Mr. Kennedy may give a hard Psych test, but he also prepares you with the notes and Chapter texts. Mrs. O'Shea may make you write five pages of notes before the research paper, but only to strengthen your writing. Don't blame them when you don't want to do the work. Blame yourself if you don't end up on stage.

4. Goodbyes Hurt Way Too Much

Out of my six friends, five of them went away to school. When you're sitting on that stage with the people you have grown up with for 12 years, it gets extremely hard to say goodbye. It hits you while Mr. Brennan is giving his speech, or once the back row stands up to get their diplomas. Those friends are leaving, and so are you. It's okay to cry, but in moderation. It isn't a sad moment, it's a happy one. They won't forget about you. It is never goodbye if they really are your true friends, its simply see you later.

Riverside is a type of family that once you finally leave, you wish you could go back. As the days come closer to starting college, you wish you were school shopping for that red, white, and blue uniform. Go Vikes, and OTF aren't as fun to use when no one understands them but you at your new school. Take it all in as you embark on your last first day as a Viking. Pretty soon you'll be staring off into space wondering how you are about to be a college freshman. Good Luck class of 2019!

Sincerely,

One sad college freshman