To the graduating class of 2018,
Just a short year ago I was walking in your footsteps. From registering for my senior classes to deciding on what college I wanted to go to, it was quite stressful, but at the same time, it was bittersweet. After thirteen long years of grade school (twelve years for many of you), I was in my final year of school. All tribulations and all-nighters had finally paid off, or so I thought. In the midst of late summer nights, I decided that my senior year was going to be a breeze.
Contrary to my decision, my senior year was filled with late nights, excessive reading, and an occasional break from homework. Due to the lack of sleep and early mornings, which roughly began in my junior year, coffee became a necessity. From honors, AP, and college-level courses, homework became a part of my life (as many of you are already aware). In translation, I would say that my senior year was one of the best and worst years of my life.
Senior year isn't complete without beginning the summer with an awesome vacation to the Bahamas. From snorkeling to lounging by the ocean, it was definitely relaxing enough before I started my year. Needless to say, relaxation is essential to beginning any school year. Being able to relive your life of stress before stockpiling more stress is a must. Back to the point, every senior should indulge in some relaxing activity before beginning their senior year and having to go through the stressfulness of deciding which college to attend while still trying to graduate from high school. Who would object to that?
College; a simple word that has been repeated since the beginning of grade school. From teachers to counselors to principals, and even your parents, college is something to look forward to. For many people, myself included, college is a necessity. Choosing a college is where the obstacle begins. "Should I stay in state? How much is tuition? What is the average SAT score and G.P.A for that school? How far away is it from home? Does that college have my desired major? What scholarships am I eligible for?" These are all questions, along with many more, that one must ask themselves before deciding.
For me, location was one of my most important factors. I wanted to be in a large city with many opportunities for my major. This is only one of the factors that ultimately allowed me to make my decision. Your most important factor may be something different than that of your friend's. College decision making is by far one of the most difficult decisions of your life because you must decide where you want to live for the next two-four years, which field you want to study, the college's requirements, and so much more. Your decision will affect the rest of your life, including your career.
With that being said, you must make the most of your senior year. Yes, it will be bittersweet; and yes, it will be overwhelming at times. When senioritis finally hits don't contemplate it, just persevere by imagining yourself walking across the stage at graduation as you begin the next step in your life to becoming the person that you've always imagined yourself of being. In just one short year you'll be in the same position as me. In the upcoming week, I will be packing up my life to venture elsewhere in hopes of pursuing my dreams. Dr. Seuss said it best, "sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."