I wish I knew...
It's mid-June, which means that school is coming to an end for most people. As for me, I've been out of school for a month now, #collegelife. I think I can speak for the majority of students when I say that the ending of the school year is something to look forward to. This attitude is mostly apparent in graduating seniors. I remember exactly how it felt like to be a graduating senior. I felt so accomplished that I had finally reached the finish-line and was about to receive my diploma. I had just about given up on the academic side of things. I felt relieved that my stress would temporarily eliminate itself (until the fall that is). I felt anxious because of the unknown that was ahead. But most of all, I felt scared about maintaining friendships, the change in my routine, me moving to a different state, and making my last summer count.
I'm writing this article because I have become an entirely different person than that graduating senior I was one year ago. There are so many lessons that I've learned that graduating from high school didn't prepare me for and that's what I'm going to share with you.
You'll realize who your real friends are
In high school, your friends were the people that you saw every day. It was so easy to maintain friendships, and lots of them, because you could count on spending time with them often. The thing with graduating is that you no longer see those people every day, so be prepared for those friendships to change. I was quite the social-butterfly in high school, I had friends in different groups, those who liked different people, and it was so nice to have a diverse experience. To be honest, I only talk to 4, or 5, of my high school friends to this day. Even when you get along with so many great people, friendships fade out and it's sad. Losing touch with a really good friend hurts, but it's going to happen. I know people may have told you that they lost touch with some of their friends and you thought that it couldn't possibly happen to you because you thought you had the greatest friends in the world. I'm not saying every single one of your friends is going to lose touch with you, because that's not necessarily true. I talk to my best friend every single day and we make it work. Friendships need equal effort from both parties because without that, it's going down the dark path of losing touch. If you have friends that are worth staying in touch with, make the effort! A simple snapchat or text can make someone's day. Also, just a warning, some of those "friends" you thought were great, turn out to be two-faced and fake. It takes a while for you to realize it, but once you do it can't be unseen. Only keep those that are a positive influence in your life and keep good company. I wish graduating from high school prepared me for the friendships I lost, the ones that turned fake, and those that would last.
You'll learn a lot about yourself
I've always been the type of person to keep my feelings to myself. I try my best to be positive, but sometimes you have to learn to accept the fact that it's ok to be sad. Senior year was stressful in itself because of everything going on in my life (dance rehearsals, drama rehearsals, performing, homework, work, maintaining friendships, and dealing with my feelings about moving to New Hampshire). Sometimes you have to stop pretending that everything's ok when it's not. You're perfectly entitled to feel things and that's what I learned. Moving was tough on me and I didn't know how to express my feelings. I learned that it's ok to accept how I feel and once that happened, I started to feel better. I also learned how to balance my school work in a completely different way than high school. There's no "due tomorrow, do tomorrow" motto here. I learned how to operate my routine clock and started ticking. I wish graduating from high school prepared me for the emotional journey that was ahead.
There's no place like home
College has the potential for every person to apply themselves to the best of their ability. Sometimes us students get preoccupied by the life we've created and need to catch a break, despite the amazing atmosphere before us. In my situation, I commuted to college. I didn't know how I was going to like it, but it worked out. It had its downfalls, but it also allowed me the chance to spend as much time on campus as possible while also recharging my battery at home. I had the perfect balance. I wasn't aware of how much time I was actually going to be home. Winter break was long, so long. High school never prepared me for separating from my routine and friends for that long. Even though being home can be lovely and much needed, college is still the place that I wish I was at right now. I'm so lucky to have a home that makes me appreciate my education that much more. I wish graduating from high school prepared me for the amount of time I would be at home and how to appreciate my situation.
In the end, I'm grateful to have these high school memories that changed who I am today. The ride was bumpy, but I made it out alive. I hope this gave a voice to some of the concerns you may hold within, you're not alone.
