First, a message for seniors in high school:

As we’ve grown up in elementary school, high school seemed so far away. The people seemed so much bigger and the homework seemed so much harder (and excessive). The rest of our lives seemed like distant dreams. Now we’re off to college and the once-in-a-lifetime experience is rapidly depleting second by second. Four years of complaining have gone away and we’re on the verge of our futures. Admit it- high school has been no walk in the park. Not only have you been trying to find yourself, but you’ve been dealing with new friends, new teachers and new classes for four years. There has been no constant sunny day; one day would be fine while the next three were pushing you to the point of dropping out. Why was life such a mess and blur all at the same time? I feel like I was over prepared as well as underprepared. I heard the typical lectures beforehand- “No bathroom on the fifth floor” and “share a locker when you can” - but none seemed to mentally warn me of the pressures, the competitions and the politics of it all.

Now to all people who think they’ve heard it all:

Believe that stereotypical motto of “nothing is like the movies” because it is absolutely, 100% accurate. There’s no fade out at the end of a good night and there’s no fairy tale like romance. It is just teenage hormones brewing in one big stew. But I’m not here to touch upon love. There is nothing you can read that can make you understand the extreme emotions of a high schooler. It’s both extreme depression and infinite ecstasy flipping a switch back and forth. There is going to be a higher concentrate of people which means more eyes glancing at you, judging your outfit, your attitude and your grades. The attention and even that huge amount of people in your class will make you burst into tears or burst into a person you’re not. Keep at least one trusted friend. You’ll meet twenty new ones, but appoint one as your closest. Sometimes at midnight, you’ll wake in a cold sweat wondering why the world is spinning. Maybe during school you’ll fart in that class your crush is in. Those thoughts cannot be suppressed and you’ll need to feel comfortable with one person so you can share the little things, good or bad. There’s no way to fully control your emotions, but being able to talk out loud will help.

Next is the responsibility level. You may think “Oh silly Leena, we know that we have to be “responsible adults” and become active in our community. You don’t need to repeat that one,” but you do not know the half of it. Imagine you’re a waitress. You take the first order and it’s only a cup of water and a sandwich. Easy, right? You decide not to go back to the kitchen and just take the next order. That table orders two philly cheese steaks with one vanilla milkshake and one chocolate milkshake. That’s a little harder so you stop at the kitchen to send out those requests and then go back to taking more. Soon, the entire restaurant is filled and every table has a party of six or seven. People are ordering dinner specials and their drinks are from the bar. It’s a madhouse and the cooks begin stacking plates, screaming at you to move faster or grow more arms. Customers soon complain and snap at you for refills. The room is too loud and the race is on. Imagine that atmosphere for four years. You have too many classes with too many adults telling you what’s wrong and what’s right. You’re expected to immediately prepare for college by being committed to multiple clubs and at least one sport. No longer can you choose between a social life, sleep and academics. You must be a well-rounded student while also doing over forty hours of community service just to be considered decent. So...you pretty much need super powers. Face that fact and brace yourself. You will feel tired even when you try to catch up on sleep. You will never be good enough for yourself, but when someone says you’ve been doing a good job- believe them. Take a break once in awhile and use vacations to your advantage. Plan ahead and use your calendar like it’s your life line.

Many of these topics go back to emotions, but the feeling of embarrassment needs extra emphasis because of its utter stupidity. Teenagers are actively aware of the world around them. It is not selfishness, but an unconscious thought that you are the center of attention at all times. Could it be a fear of bullying or the fear that a person’s abnormalities will become discovered? I’ve let that fear control, not only my choices, but my attitude. Thinking negative will only bring you down; it won’t save you from whatever scenario in your head you’re trying to avoid. I’ve let moments and opportunities pass because I felt trapped in my own opinions. Break free early and use the acronym “IDGAF” as your catch phrase; (commonly known as “I don’t give a f**k). Want to do spirit week, but think no one else will do it? IDGAF. Feeling like dressing up becuase you want to? IDGAF. Not feeling make up one day because you’re just too tired? IDGAF.

High school is only once. You can either live in the

moment or let the days pass through. Movies make high school seem like a piece of a person’s life that will always be regretted if it goes wrong. That’s not true. It’s important because it shapes who you are and how you act for for the rest of your life. It doesn’t create the exact person you will be, but it’s the beginnings your indefinite improvement. There is no such thing as a permanent definition for yourself because time goes on and so do we.