To The Graduating High School Senior, Here's What I Wish I Knew When I Was In Your Shoes

To The Graduating High School Senior, Here's What I Wish I Knew When I Was In Your Shoes

Here's a few things I wish I knew before spending four years in high school.

Sade Yinger
Sade Yinger Feb 19, 2019
986
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To those still in high school, here's my advice to you. I know people always claim that the four years go by so quick. I'm here to verify how incredibly true that is — you have to embrace your high school moments before they're gone.

1. The drama isn't worth it

I can promise you, the drama never lasts. You won't remember half of the gossip, arguments, or drama a few years down the line. Remember that these issues never last forever so just do your best to keep moving forward. Don't let other people's opinion on you affect how you see yourself.

2. It is never too late to do what makes you happy

When you're deciding on your future plans, it is never too late to switch your interests. Even more important- explore all of your options. Never limit yourself.

3. Don't hesitate to make new friends

Branching out is a very important part of finding who you are. Even if you're shy, try to put yourself out there. Surround yourself with people you want to be around.

4. There's nothing wrong with being single

I don't know your situation, but most of the time if you're not being treated the way you deserve, you need to be by yourself. High school isn't the time to find your true love. (But if you do, good for you!)

5. Be yourself

I know sometimes it's hard to be your true self when you're constantly seeing the image of someone else. But, your true friends and loved ones will love and support you no matter what.

6. Be safe

I know you think you're invincible, but DRIVE SAFELY. Be careful who and what you surround yourself with.

7. Don't make forever decisions based on temporary feelings

It's so easy to get caught up in the way you feel. But, it's even easier to change your life forever if you don't focus on what is right for you and your future.

8. Remember you aren't alone 

There is always someone there to listen to you rant and help you through the issues you face. Don't isolate yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed.

9. Remember to make the most of the moment 

Go to as many school functions as you can because these memories don't repeat themselves.

10. Things aren't always easy

Friendships end, you fail a test, you undergo so much stress, you study for hours on end, you go through personal issues. There will be times you feel defeated and that's okay. Just remember everything happens for a reason and things will eventually work themselves out.

11. Don't blink 

Before you know it, you're going your separate ways from the friends you've known forever. You have to say, "see ya later" to your family. These four years will be incredibly busy, but you need to embrace and enjoy these moments because they fly by.

Sade Yinger
Sade Yinger Feb 19, 2019
At Bowling Green State University

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It's Time To Thank Your First Roommate

Not the horror story kind of roommate, but the one that was truly awesome.
Katie Ward
Katie Ward Feb 1, 2016
858472
views

Nostalgic feelings have recently caused me to reflect back on my freshman year of college. No other year of my life has been filled with more ups and downs, and highs and lows, than freshman year. Throughout all of the madness, one factor remained constant: my roommate. It is time to thank her for everything. These are only a few of the many reasons to do so, and this goes for roommates everywhere.

You have been through all the college "firsts" together.

If you think about it, your roommate was there through all of your first college experiences. The first day of orientation, wishing you luck on the first days of classes, the first night out, etc. That is something that can never be changed. You will always look back and think, "I remember my first day of college with ____."

You were even each other's first real college friend.

You were even each other's first real college friend.

Months before move-in day, you were already planning out what freshman year would be like. Whether you previously knew each other, met on Facebook, or arranged to meet in person before making any decisions, you made your first real college friend during that process.

SEE ALSO: 18 Signs You're A Little Too Comfortable With Your Best Friends

The transition from high school to college is not easy, but somehow you made it out on the other side.

It is no secret that transitioning from high school to college is difficult. No matter how excited you were to get away from home, reality hit at some point. Although some people are better at adjusting than others, at the times when you were not, your roommate was there to listen. You helped each other out, and made it through together.

Late night talks were never more real.

Remember the first week when we stayed up talking until 2:00 a.m. every night? Late night talks will never be more real than they were freshman year. There was so much to plan for, figure out, and hope for. Your roommate talked, listened, laughed, and cried right there with you until one of you stopped responding because sleep took over.

You saw each other at your absolute lowest.

It was difficult being away from home. It hurt watching relationships end and losing touch with your hometown friends. It was stressful trying to get in the swing of college level classes. Despite all of the above, your roommate saw, listened, and strengthened you.

...but you also saw each other during your highest highs.

After seeing each other during the lows, seeing each other during the highs was such a great feeling. Getting involved on campus, making new friends, and succeeding in classes are only a few of the many ways you have watched each other grow.

There was so much time to bond before the stresses of college would later take over.

Freshman year was not "easy," but looking back on it, it was more manageable than you thought at the time. College only gets busier the more the years go on, which means less free time. Freshman year you went to lunch, dinner, the gym, class, events, and everything else possible together. You had the chance to be each other's go-to before it got tough.

No matter what, you always bounced back to being inseparable.

Phases of not talking or seeing each other because of business and stress would come and go. Even though you physically grew apart, you did not grow apart as friends. When one of you was in a funk, as soon as it was over, you bounced right back. You and your freshman roommate were inseparable.

The "remember that one time, freshman year..." stories never end.

Looking back on freshman year together is one of my favorite times. There are so many stories you have made, which at the time seemed so small, that bring the biggest laughs today. You will always have those stories to share together.

SEE ALSO: 15 Things You Say To Your Roommates Before Going Out

The unspoken rule that no matter how far apart you grow, you are always there for each other.

It is sad to look back and realize everything that has changed since your freshman year days. You started college with a clean slate, and all you really had was each other. Even though you went separate ways, there is an unspoken rule that you are still always there for each other.

Your old dorm room is now filled with two freshmen trying to make it through their first year. They will never know all the memories that you made in that room, and how it used to be your home. You can only hope that they will have the relationship you had together to reflect on in the years to come.


Cover Image Credit: Katie Ward
Katie Ward
Katie Ward Feb 1, 2016
At Duquesne University

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To The Senior Who Thinks They WON'T Miss High School, You're So Wrong

It's hard to imagine you will miss a place like high school, but believe me, you will.

whitneyhicks
whitneyhicks Mar 19, 2019
469
views

I am writing this letter because, yes, this was me.

I could not wait to get out of high school. I hated the monotony of all my classes. I hated teachers who assigned busy work just to try to make it through the 50-minute class period. I hated being told when I could eat when I could leave and what I could wear.

I couldn't wait to graduate and get to college. The thought of creating a schedule for myself and getting to choose the classes I take seemed too good to be true. I continued to see people become sad at the end of high school and I couldn't help but think, "How could I ever miss high school?"

The truth is, you don't. I don't miss all the torturous monotony of high school, but it is naive of me to say that I don't miss some things.

To the tough guy like me who thinks you will graduate and never look back, here's what you will miss.

You will miss your friends.

Chances are more than 50 percent of your friends will not be going to the same college as you. Even the ones that do go to the same school will most likely have different majors than you, and let's face it— they might as well be a world away. You'll begin to appreciate your high school friends more and more. After all, those are the friends who knew and loved you through your awkward phase.

You will miss your teachers.

Until I got to college, I never realized how meaningful the relationships I had built with my high school teachers were. In college, you lose the environment where all of your teachers knew your name. While you might not miss certain high school teachers, you will miss the ones with which you built important personal relationships.

You will miss your family.

The family is involved in your high school career way more than you expect. Parent nights, grandparents' day, extracurricular activities. Your family, immediate and extended, are involved in your high school career in so many ways. When you get to college, you realize that it's all upon you. You won't have a parent signing all of your failed math tests. You won't always have a parent at your extracurricular activities.

You won't miss high school. You will miss the amazing people around you that helped you make it through your four torturous years of high school. So, if you're a graduating senior or even underclassmen, take a moment to appreciate the people in your life right now, because I guarantee you will miss them.

whitneyhicks
whitneyhicks Mar 19, 2019
At Louisiana State University

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