Dear Soon to be Graduates,
The last month of high school is such an interesting time in life. It seems that these last couple of days boil down to what all of high school is about: creating everlasting memories with your friends and meeting people you’ve gone to school with for four years and realizing you wish you met them sooner. This is one of the most sentimental experiences you will go through. Realizing some of these people that you see every single day will soon be a memory. The next time you see some of these people will be in 10 years at your high school reunion. Some of you are so anxious to get out of high school and experience the real world. Some of you are fearful because high school is all you’ve ever known. Either way, what you should do is slow down. Live in the moment and cherish these last couple of weeks that you have left with some of the greatest people you’ll meet.
High school probably wasn’t exactly what you imagined was it? "High School Musical" was the worst representation of what high school could be like. Not everyone sings in the middle of the cafeteria, no guy is hotter than Troy Bolton, and no girl ever measured up to the annoyance of Sharpay Evans. If you were sent to detention you probably didn’t walk away with a bunch of new best friends like they did in the Breakfast Club. But in a lot of ways high school wasn’t as bad as you thought, was it? There wasn’t really a queen bee that ruled the school and made sure you knew if your outfit wasn’t on point. There wasn’t a bully that shoved you into lockers and stole your lunch money. And the teachers weren’t as bad as what you were warned about in middle school. Being tardy to class wasn’t the end of the world.
With the door of high school closing and the door of the adult world opening, here are some important things to note:
Cherish these memories.
Even the little things, like driving during lunch to Starbucks, can result in one of your favorite memories years later. If you’re ever given the opportunity to go somewhere or do something with your friends, just do it. Forget the final essay that’s due the next morning at 8 A.M. You think your teacher is really going to fail you and not let you pass? They want you out of here just as bad as you. If it’s 9 P.M. at night at your friend wants a study break with froyo, just go. You don’t have many more of these nights running around town because chances are you’re going to different schools.
Respect your teachers.
They’re not all as evil as you think. Believe it or not, they want you to succeed and they’re prepping you for a taste of what college is like. It’s hard to imagine but they were once a student too, and they had to go to college. They know that life can get hard. So when in doubt tell them what’s going on in life. Ask for an extension on an assignment. The worst they can say is no. Thank them for letting you stay after class and helping you out. Some of these teachers are going to be around when you come home to visit. And if you’re lucky enough they may buy you a beer when you’re 21 at the local bar.
Be nice to everyone.
This is the last couple of weeks you can leave your lasting impression on everyone. Make sure it’s a good one. A couple of years from now remember what you’ll say about some people, and what they might say about you. You never know the next time you’ll see some of these people but leaving high school with a great memory of you will be worth it in the long run.
Stop being afraid.
That girl or guy you’ve been crushing on since freshman year will never know unless you tell them. What in the world do you have to lose now? Let them know you’ve always had a baby crush on them. You might be surprised at what their response is. Plus it’s flattering for someone to know. With that, just make up with your friend that you’ve lost contact with. Some people you left freshman year, but apologizing for the stupid misunderstanding is so much more beneficial to you. Don’t leave high school with any bad vibes.
High School sweethearts are rare.
Your 3-year high school relationship is not supposed to last. Especially when you go to separate schools. Do yourself a favor and break up with him or her. You’re more than likely going to meet someone amazing and attractive in the first couple of weeks of you school. Why worry yourself and depend on someone who is miles and miles away from you? Why stay in on a Friday night to skype your significant other, when you could be out there meeting new and amazing people? It’s not worth it. And if you decide to stick with your high school sweetheart, think of how unhappy you’ll be with the lack of experience most people get to have.
High school shouldn’t be your peak.
For some people, this is as great as it gets. The most common case is the high school football stud that ends up doing nothing with his life but going from minimum wage job to minimum wage job. Don’t be this person. Life is what you make of it. So go out there, motivate yourself to be the best person you can be, and better yourself as much as you can.
Don’t forget where you belong.
As you go on to do bigger and better things, remember that your hometown and everything it consumes is there to stay. Your family will be back home cheering you on. Everything about your roots will be there to stay but you shouldn’t. It’s your job to get out into the real world and make your life what you want it to be.
Life after high school can be scary, thrilling, and every other emotion you can think of. But life after high school is really only the beginning. The world truly is your oyster and it’s important to make what you want with it. Cherish these last couple of weeks and remember them as fond memories. Welcome to the real world. It’s ready when you are.
Sincerely,
A Satisfied College Student
