To the people getting ready to head into High School...

I've spent the last four years of my life in the same school with majority of the same people. And I know the jump from middle school to high school is a huge thing and you're probably worried, I was. You're probably worried about what is going to happen with the people you call your friends, how you're going to adapt to a brand new school, what new things are you gonna be brought into and try.

It's going to be a rough transition. But trust me, you will find you're groove. The classes will get harder, these classes can't be blown off. Everything you do now is going to affect your future. You're going to find friends that fit with your personality, and yes, you will still be friends with some of the people from middle school. But in all honesty, you probably will fall off with most of them. My best friend now is not the person I was best friend with in middle school, she didn't even go to the same high school as me. You're going to make friends from the other schools, at least if you come from a district like me you will. Embrace it.

In high school, a lot is going to change. You'll probably get your first serious relationship, you'll probably have your first heart break too. I'm going to tell you, that it is not the end of the world. This is only the beginning. You're still in your teens and do not to find the love of your life in high school, although there is a chance you may, and that's okay. The first relationship you get into, you may be pressured for stuff you don't want. If you don't want anything more, don't do anything. I know you're going to hear about all the people who do everything, but even after 4 years, here I am to tell you I am just as happy as the next person and I haven't found the love of my life and I'm still a virgin.

You make get the chance to go to your first party, if you want to go then go. BE CAREFUL!! I can't stress enough how careful you need to be. Not only with what you're posting, because it will ruin your future. If you feel you need the full high school experience and a party is part of that, then go. Watch who you're going to be hanging out with though and don't make it an all the time thing. In all 4 years, I never went to a party, never drank, never did drugs.

I know you are all probably thinking how lame my high school career sounds, but I am here to tell you that I have a great group of friends that were there for me all four years. I had my first kiss, I'm in the top of my class, and I'm headed to college on an athletic scholarship to study nursing. The likelihood of you seeing these people after graduation is very small. I have intentions of seeing all of six people after graduation, and ironically enough, none of them go to the same high school as me.

These are people you are going to spend the next four years with, make the best of it. Go to the football games, go to the baseball and basketball games. Go to the pep rallies, go to homecoming and prom. Participate in homecoming spirit week. Get involved in clubs and or sports. Your senior year, go to the last homecoming football game, and go to baccalaureate, go the senior picnic, go to the senior pep rally, participate in the panoramic, go to senior prom. This will be the last time you are with everyone as a whole. In four very short years, everyone will be headed their own way, to start their own life. Don't drag on your high school life to college. But do live your high school life to the fullest. Don't regret a single thing of your high school career, whether it's about what you did do and wish you didn't, or what you never did and wish you did. Live out high school to the fullest.

P.S. Real high school, is nothing like High School Musical... Sorry

Sincerely,

A 2017 high school graduate.