Dear seniors,
I bet you're pretty excited about finally graduating, right? I remember when I was in your shoes about a year ago. I couldn't wait to get out of high school, go to college, and finally start my life. What I didn't know was how much I would really miss high school. Trust me, life after high school isn't all fun and games like some of us portray it. There are a few things I learned along the way that I would like to share with all of you.
First of all, don't rush anything. I was so excited to get out of my hometown and finally become an "adult." I soon realized that moving away from home was a lot harder than I thought it would be. You'll miss your parents, even if you swore you wouldn't. You'll miss your comfy bed, home cooked meals, being able to shower whenever you want, and not having to pay for groceries. Therefore, slow down and enjoy these last few months at home because you won't ever be able to get these moments back. Your family will appreciate the fact that you are spending more time with them before you leave, because they will probably miss you just as much once you are gone.
Second, don't take high school for granted. Yes, I will admit that high school does not fully prepare you for college, but, after experiencing a semester of college, you'll want to go back to high school any day. The biggest difference is the work load. You've probably heard this a million times, but it's true. College is a hundred times worse than high school when it comes to the work. I can remember barely doing any work at home when it came to high school, but in college I'll probably have three to six hours of homework every single day. So, appreciate how easy high school was and learn from the mistakes you made, because they might just make or break you when you get to college.
Now, this is the time to make the most memories you can with your high school friends before you all head off in different directions. Yes, you will make plenty of memories in college, but they'll most likely be with new people. Your high school friends will always be special because you helped each other through probably the best and worst times of your life. The summer before your freshman year of college could be the best summer you have ever had if you cherish those friendships and make memories that you will never forget, therefore keeping friendships that will last a lifetime as well. You and your friends might drift apart when college comes around, and that is okay, but at least you'll have a million memories to hang on to for the rest of your life.
So, finally, make the best of this time in your life. It is super exciting yet emotional at the same time. So much is happening and changing, but it is all for the better in the long run. Don't be afraid to take a deep breath, slow down. and take it all in because before you know it, you'll be in college in no time.
Sincerely,
Someone who's been there
