Class of 2017,
Right now you are looking ahead and all you see is senior year. Trust me I have been there. Summer before senior year, not a care in the world and your whole future ahead of you-- what an amazing feeling. You feel invincible and that nothing can touch you because come on, you are seniors and you rule the school. And I mean, you are right. There is nothing that can stop you, were not there to put you in your place anymore so you take your rightful parking spot and you start plotting ways to cut the lunch lines. However, I am here to give you some advice, advice you should listen to, and I know you have heard this a million and one times, but I am asking you to stop and breathe and just listen, because me, I loved high school. Senior year rocked and the thought of never going back sends me straight to tears, so I know what I am talking about.
So please, slow down. Literally slow down; it is not cool to drive 90 MPH, and get into an accident. It is not cool and it is not worth hurting yourself. So just physically slow down, but also mentally slow down. Time will go by fast enough, believe me. One second it's the first Friday night at Brook’s Field and then you blink and you are walking down an aisle of teammates on your senior night. So when you are sitting there saying "Oh my gosh I can't wait to get out!" just think about how fast it is going to go.
When you are places, just be there. Do not worry about anything else, because believe me your times leading the nation or being able to call your friends at 3 A.M. and meet somewhere are limited. So just slow down and live in the moment, because they are numbered your senior year. Stop being consumed with what is going on outside of where you are. Put your phone down and listen and take it all in. Believe me, soon enough all you will have is memories.
My second bit of advice-- take the college process and school work seriously and do not wait until the last minute to apply to schools. Plan it out, and apply to your reach schools but also your safety schools. You never know what school is going to have an open space so, dream big and reach for the stars-- believe in yourself. Also, your grades matter the first semester so, listen and take notes. Study for tests, because first semester is when it really counts. Also, do not give up. Do not settle for less than you are. Be better than your junior year self. Be the best you while you are still home and comfortable.
Going off of that, when and if you get rejected from schools, do not cry. Do not worry. Do not get yourself worked up over a school, because there are millions and millions of schools out there waiting for people like you. So, trust in the plans God has for you, because everything happens for a reason and you are going to end up where you are supposed to be. I promise you that.
And my last bit of advice for you is appreciate the people around you. Appreciate your older brother making fun of you, or your dad cracking another stupid joke, and when your mom wants to hang out, go with her. These things are going to be gone when you go to school. Appreciate all of your classmates and take the time to meet people you never would have talked to before. I met some pretty incredible people senior year that I wish I could go back and meet the first day of freshman year.
Listen to what your teachers have to say because they know better than you. Appreciate everything, say please and thank you, bring tea home to your mom or take the garbage out without having the be asked. All of this is going to be ripped away within a couple of months. Love it, live it. Have fun. Senior year is amazing, but just slow down and take it all in. Have fun, but do not be stupid, you need to find that balance. Go out and see new things, explore new places, do things you never would have done before, before you can not anymore. Best of luck Class of 2017. Have the greatest year of your life and live it up, because right now, we would do anything to go back.
Love,
Class of 2016 (we're still the seniors)
