Dear High School,
Thank you.
Before I begin, I need to make it clear that my experience with you wasn't a walk in the park. It most definitely was not rainbows and butterflies. You gave me serious anxiety and stress, quite possibly even more than your average student. So, with that said, saying thank you might seem weird to some. When most people remember you, they roll their eyes and mumble, “Thank God that’s over” or “I’m so happy to be out.”.In fact, most people I meet hated you. However, I don't hate you, high school. I have nothing but thanks to give.
I will admit—you were rough. I mean, of course there were ups and downs, that’s a major part of life. Luckily, you got me through those downs by providing me with some of the greatest friends a person could have—friends who I no longer see every day, but can still call whenever I need to. From the drama and the heartache to the fun and the excitement, these are the friends that have been with me through it all. The kind of friends that are more like family.
You gave me the ability to succeed, high school. You threw schoolwork, college applications and gossip at me, but also help and advice. You let me make mistakes, but then made me learn from them. You drove me insane, but then taught me that I really don’t need everyone’s approval. I may not remember everything I learned in pre-calc and chemistry, but I remember the life lessons you ultimately gave me. Lessons that helped me grow.
Many people complain that you didn't teach them how to do taxes, change a tire or other "practical" things about life, and that may be true. However, I did learn a few useful things during my time with you. I learned that everybody talks, but it really just doesn't matter. I learned the difference between a good friendship and a bad one. I learned that while hard work is important, so is having a good time. I learned that moving on and letting go is a part of life. I learned that change is both inevitable and okay.
So, thank you, high school. Thank you for giving me lifelong friends. Thank you for giving me four years of occasionally sad, sometimes embarrassing, often funny, memories. Thank you for sometimes putting me through hell, because it taught me that whatever happens, everything really will turn out OK. As confusing as life can be right now in the midst of my second semester of college, I know one thing for sure—I wouldn’t be who I am today without you, high school. I can’t thank you enough for that.
