To all the Second Semester High School Seniors,

It’s hard to believe, right? You’ve finally finished those dreaded college applications, and the year’s almost over. That senioritis is probably kicking in pretty high by now.

But don’t let loose yet no matter how much you want to. There’s still so much you need to know, and so many more challenges ahead. The most important thing to remember, of course, is to keep your grades up. Your teachers weren’t kidding — your acceptance really can be rescinded. Imagine going through all those years of school to get into college just to have it taken away because of laziness. So continue working hard, but it’s okay to loosen up a little. These next few months will be a roller coaster of emotions, and time is going to whip by faster than you think.

Most likely, you’ve gone to school with these people for years. Sure, some may have left and new people may have come, but these are your constants in life. These are the people who’ve always been operating in the background like a gentle hum, and you’re going to notice the silence of unfamiliarity when it comes.

The harsh reality of college is that everyone splits up, no longer conjoined on one familiar path. You’ll absolutely promise that you’ll never forget your friends. You’ll stay in touch, maybe meet up every now and then. But once those tassels move left and graduation caps are thrown into the air, everything changes. How many people will you actually stay in touch with after high school? How many people are truly so special to you that not even hundreds or thousands of miles can dull your friendship?

So take in every familiar hallway, every class, and every teacher. Memorize the sound of your friends’ laughter and the way they hug you. Appreciate all the relationships you’ve made along the way, both the good and the bad. They made you who you are today. Go to your senior prom even if you don’t have a date; it’s better to be bored than forever wonder how it would’ve gone. Write down each and every one of your memories because that’s all they’re going to be one day.

These next few months will be a roller coaster of emotions. There’ll be days filled with happiness and friendship, and you’ll be bursting at the seams to graduate. But there’ll also be days filled with dread. We all fear the future at some point or another; all fear the unknown that is heading toward us. Right now you’re protected by your routines and the knowledge that you get to come home every night. You still get to eat dinner with your family and cuddle your pets. Your room is the familiar safe haven it’s always been, not a strange dorm with concrete walls. Your best friends are only a few minutes away.

Don’t take these little things for granted because you’re going to miss them desperately when the homesickness sets in. Even if you’re commuting to college, you’re still going to have to face the reality that things won’t be the same. For most of you, though, freshman year of college is going to be a whole lot of trial-and-error because everything is on you. Mom and Dad aren’t going to take care of you when your sick or do your laundry that’s been piling up for weeks. When you’ve had a bad day and all you want to do is curl up with your dog, you won’t be able to. No one’s cooking for you anymore, and as good as junk food sounds now, you’re going to miss vegetables. Trust me.

So many things are about to change. You’re balancing precariously between the old and the new, so tread wisely. Make the most of second semester. Go out with friends and enjoy the last couple of months of high school you have left. Most importantly, appreciate your family because when you’re alone and crying in your dorm, they’ll always be there for you.

Love,
Maya