To the class of 2016:
Congrats! You made it. You've finished a huge chapter of your life. Now, on to the next. Maybe it's college, maybe it's not. Maybe you know what you want to do, maybe you don't. Just understand that it's okay. And that you're going to be okay too.
Enjoy every moment. From this point on, almost everything you do will be a last- at least for now. One last trip with your high school friends. One last time you slam your locker shut, or see your favorite teacher. One last Sonic run. One last summer spent idly, not worrying about finding an internship or catching up on credits. It seems daunting, and it's scary. But it's also a good thing.
You're about to have a lot of firsts. First roommates, first load of laundry on your own, first all-nighter. You'll get your first internship and learn things for your first real job. You'll have your first college sporting game. And you'll have the first time that you get lost on campus (there will be many of those). It's exciting. Remember your firsts, just like you remember your lasts. And don't get discouraged because before you know it, you'll be pointing out where buildings are to those lost visitors on campus.
The thing is, you've got to enjoy both. Don't be sad about the lasts, and don't be afraid of the firsts. If we stayed where we are comfortable, we'd be bored. Before you know it, you'll be leaving this chapter too. Don't let it fly by. Enjoy every single moment. Whether it's staying up all night to chat with someone about their life or yours, or taking a new route to walk to class just because it's beautiful outside. Do these things while you can. As you know now, some day it will be too late.
"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings." - Lao Tzu
It doesn't have to be painful. It doesn't have to be scary. Just remember- it's all good. It's all worth remembering.
