It's been said a thousand times before: Don't grow up too fast.

So here you are, in the finals days of the final weeks of your final year in high school and I bet it feels awesome. In fact, I know it feels awesome, because I was in that exact same spot just a year ago. I have a few pieces of advice for you... and you might not want to hear it.

Senior year is full of a lot of awesome's. It's awesome to be top dog of the school, awesome to have more freedom in your schedule, and awesome to look ahead to finally being done with it all. However, as exciting and fun as graduating is, you shouldn't throw away these last days as a high school senior to get there. Soak up all of the long-standing-around-taking-pictures, try to actually enjoy sitting through all of the dressy award banquets, and really feel each special moment that being a graduating senior gives you. Before you know it, you'll be on your own, without the support of an entire class stuck in the same building all waiting for the same thing. Before you know it, you're going to start feeling the pressure of real life, even though in reality, you're only just taking one step towards adult life. And most importantly, before you know it, you're going to miss it.

I know right now you're probably thinking, "Ha, how could I miss this bullsh*t?". And you're right--to some extent. There are parts of high school that you won't miss at all, like the standardized testing, the being forced to be at a specific place at a specific time, and the requiring of permission to go pee. You're right, all of that is bullsh*t. But--it's the way that everyone is moving in the same direction, sitting in the same boat, ready to jump ship at any moment--the fact that you're all excited and eager to leave; that is what makes these memories so sweet.

So yeah, go ahead and show up late to first period because you got coffee with your friends, and honestly you just can't bother to care anymore. But at least show up. And smile. And let the good teachers know that you'll miss them, and make sure to tell the bad ones 'thank you'.

There is so much bliss waiting for you on the other side of that cap and gown. As exciting as it looks, is as exciting as it really is; you're about to have the time of your life. But, high school is something you will never forget, so for the time being, make this the time of your life. Believe it or not, you will end up missing the football games, the procrastination (which only gets worse, warning you now), and the pep rallies that were always kind of lame. That's the stuff that makes high school fun, and worth it. And that's the stuff that's worth holding on to.

Like I said, being college is fun, but from a college freshman finishing her first year.. stay in Neverland as long as you can.