You did it. You have finally reached the end of your senior year. Pretty soon you will be walking through those halls for the last time, putting on your cap and gown, walking across the stage, and then it will be over. In the blink of an eye, high school has finished. There are no more tests on math you will never use, and you won't have to hear those bells between passing periods. So long are the days of cafeterias and P.E. You did it.
Maybe higher education is where you're heading. Whether it's a vocational school, the military, community college, traveling the world on a mission trip, or a four-year university, you are ready for more. There is so much more to life than your hometown. Experience it. Get away from everything you've ever known for a while and see how you do.
There are going to be so many moments that terrify you, excite you, and challenge you in ways you have never thought possible. You are not going to be prepared for everything life is going to hand you, and that's okay. Part of the adventure is adapting to change and new situations. Think of this journey as one of self-discovery.
Maybe, you're heading straight into the workforce. The economy will be better with you in it. Seize all the opportunities you possibly can. All it takes is that one moment that can change your life forever. Some people might say that you need a degree to get ahead in life, but I think that all you really need is ambition. Go for the job that is harder than what you are used to. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish when you are pushed past your boundaries. Network as much as you can. You never know who could turn out to be a useful contact.
These next few years are going to be crazy. You will know people who are settling down and getting married, people who are traveling the world enjoying life, people who are working hard while in school, and people who have no drive to do anything past high school. The friends you are so close with now will either stay the same, or you will find new people who are taking the same life path as you are. These are times of change, and it should be welcomed. Cherish the memories that you have made these past four years, and get excited for what is to come.
Maybe you didn't like high school. Trust me, I have been in your shoes. Life after high school gets so much better. There is less petty drama, and people actually start to mature. Do not let what has happened in the past discourage you; you are going to find yourself and love who you become. It is only a matter of time.
So, to the graduating senior, congratulations on sticking it out the past four years. You deserve all of the recognition. However, life is just beginning, and it's waiting for you.