A long time ago, there was a girl sitting in her room, staring at her old barbies, just wishing to finally be in middle school. That same girl sat in the same room a few years later, staring at her iPod touch, just waiting to finally be in high school.

There's a small part in all of us that just wants time to keep on going. We all chase our futures a little too passionately and forget that one day, you'll look back and wish that you had that time back.

This one's for all the seniors that spend an absurd amount of time Googling colleges, or who find a little too much pleasure in crossing off each day on their calendar, or who already have their graduation dress picked out.

I understand the anticipation of sitting in 3rd period Calculus, when all you can think about is how much you hate calculus as you scroll through the Instagram feed of your graduated friends who are having an amazing time and all you can wonder is: WHY. AM. I. NOT. THERE.

I get it. You've done your time. You've sat through endless quarters of gym, and, I mean, who cares about ultimate frisbee anyway? You've had your share of high school horror stories and it just doesn't seem fair to watch everyone live their life while yours hasn't even begun.

Sure, those are reasonable feelings to have. But what about the lunchroom table that you and your friends meet up at everyday 5th period? Or the English teacher who could spend all day discussing Hamlet with you? Or even the sound of that 2:36 pm bell ringing, and the sigh of relief that comes with the school day being over?

You can bring collages and all your favorite stuffed animals to college. Sure, you can FaceTime your younger sister practically whenever, but once you go, you're gone. You're forgoing the homecoming dances, walking your best friends to class, and taking the long way in the hallway just to avoid Chemistry.

Yes, college is exciting. But high school was (is), too. Don't wake up each day dreading going to school -- that's simply a waste of a day. Now's the time to spend your days appreciating the little things that "kids" get to do. It's not about who's going where and who's doing what; it's about living out your last few months to the fullest in the context of your own life and who you are. If that means spending every day in the math office for an hour discussing limits with your teacher, or skipping class to go see a new movie every day with your best friend or waking up every day only to finally get to tennis practice, then do it. This is it. As cool as sophomore year was, when you look back on the "glory days," do you want to picture a sad 17-and-a-half-year-old sulking through the halls wishing time would go bye? NO!

Plan your senior prank, switch into that harder class because you know you'll love it, talk to the girl you've loved since freshman year. Now is the time. There are no upperclassmen to worry about -- now is the time to live your truth and define who you are as a high schooler because soon enough, you'll be a colleger, which in my opinion, does not sound nearly as cool.

Dream about the future all you want. But the more time you spend thinking about the possibilities of being a college student, you're disappointing the boy who sat in the back of the middle school bus, who spent all his time dreaming about who he would be in high school. As scary as it is, you'll be an adult-in-training pretty soon. Who wants to pay bills?! Exactly. So, enjoy the free running water and air conditioning while you have it and be the best version of yourself. High school is a one-time thing -- make it count.