It's almost here. The day you have been counting down for months, maybe even years now. Graduation day. It is probably marked on your calendar. Be honest, it's written in giant black sharpie with a big circle around it. It is OK to be excited.
But just take a minute to slow down, because your last football and basketball game on the front row, your last homecoming and prom (and thank goodness), your last school lunch; it's all about to be over. All those days you counted down and wished away are suddenly gone, and although you may be happy now, you are going to miss them. You are going to miss screaming your football team to victory and cheering on the basketball team while the final buzzer blows. You will miss putting on that jersey with your favorite number on it and playing on that same court with your favorite people and playing for your favorite coaches.
You want to be free and in college, but trust me, you are going to miss these small things that turn out to be the big things. You will miss seeing your best friend(s) every day and only having to drive 10 minutes to get to their houses. You are going to miss your favorite teachers and having teachers that actually know your name. So before you walk across that stage and take on your last summer living at home, just keep a few things in mind:
Slow down
Because time goes fast enough on its own. It's okay to be excited, it's normal. But don't forget to slow down and realize what is happening. You are about to start a huge chapter in your life, and while it's all fun and exciting, a lot is about to change, much more quickly than you think. Be excited and count down the days, but don't forget to spend time with your parents, siblings, and your friends that are moving away. Before you know it, May turns into August, it's moving day, and your next journey is about to begin!
Keep in mind
It's going to get stressful, and that's okay. You're probably already stressed, you are about to move out and start "adulting." Whether you can admit it or not, you are probably a little scared. You are going to miss your "normal" and college is hard. But don't forget that it is just as hard on your parents. They have raised you for the last 18 years and their normal is about to change too. Whether you're the first, second, or last to leave, regardless of what they say, it never really gets easier. They're going to be sad, so just keep in mind that when they snap at you a little more than usual it's just because reality that you're leaving is starting to sink in. And when they ask you if you to spend some time with them, take them up on it every once in awhile instead of going to that party or hanging with your friends; it will mean the world to them, and in the long run, you'll be happy that you did. Spend time with your siblings, and don't take advantage of the fact that "they'll always be there" because they have lives too and you really will miss them—more than you think. And most importantly, have fun.
Get excited
Now that I may have freaked you out, and I'm really sorry if I have, I'm going to tell you to get excited! You're finally done with school lunches, eight hour class days, and attendance-based classes. Wherever it is you are going, you will be meeting new people, starting your journey to your career, and making memories that will last a lifetime. You are about to start a new, very exciting chapter in your life and I am so excited for you. Take it all in and enjoy every second, because just like the last 12 years, it will fly by.
Suddenly, it will be August and you will excitedly be setting up your dorm room, and then it will be May and you will have made it through your first year of college and will be questioning where the time went. So enjoy the last few weeks you have left, because they only go faster from here.
Congratulations, Class of 2016!
You made it!
