Dear Graduating High School Seniors,
I can't believe that I was in your spot only a year ago. It feels like centuries have passed. In high school, I couldn't wait to go to college; the new scenery and the freedom had all of my interest. I am almost complete with my freshman year, and I would do anything to relive the last two months of my senior year.
Take advantage of all of the events; there's nothing like them when you get to college. There will be no "senior picnic" or senior trip. You won't even know a lot of the people in your graduating class. You will have to reintroduce yourself to everyone you meet; no one here has ever heard of you. Going out and doing things with your college friends isn't the same as doing them with your hometown friends that you grew up with.
Live it up at prom and after-prom because those memories will last a lifetime. They are your final adventures as a high school student. Everything is ending just to start up in a different way in a completely different area with people you are yet to meet.
Say thank you to your annoying high school teachers, because at least they took the time to know your name. Say thank you, because it may be one of the last times that a teacher will know you more than by a test score. Say thank you, because they have taught you life lessons that you will carry with you in college.
Run the halls of your high school one last time. Do everything you wanted to in those four years. You have less than two months left and then you will be in the real world.
So, indulge in your mom's cooking in the last few months; you will miss it more than you realize. Spend the extra money to go on last minute adventures with your friends. It won't be as easy in the coming months. Sit down and have dinner with your family. Try and make it to as many of your sibling's events as you can. Your life is about to change in more ways than you can image.
I was hyped to go to college, but the night before my parents were supposed to drop me off, I found myself snuggled on my mom's lap, crying. I didn't want to go. The new experience was terrifying. I was going to a school where I knew absolutely no one and I was going to be alone. It took me a few weeks to get over my homesickness, which I assure you will have, but after that I began to get more involved in my school and branched out.
There is nothing like high school and I wish I realized that before I graduated. Don't get me wrong - I love college. It has brought so many new opportunities and it has truly allowed me to find myself, but those high school memories will always be stitched in my mind.
So good luck, and have fun. I wish you all of the best in your new journey,
A Reminiscing College Freshman
