We're in that time of year where we can almost taste the summer. The weather is getting warmer, and the days are getting longer. But what else does that mean? In just over two months, high school seniors will say their final goodbyes to their beloved classmates and teachers, to start a new chapter in their lives. Seniors, you are probably currently running into articles and open letters about cherishing every last moment you have within the walls of your high school. But I'm here to tell you, it may not be as sad as many make it out to be.
Let me start out by saying that I do miss all of my high school friends. But the thing is, they aren't going anywhere. I miss skipping the last class of the day to make Dunkin' runs, our class trips to DC and Orlando, Winter formal, etc. But all of that happened outside of the walls of our high school. Sure, we've all decided to part ways for college, which means we don't see each other every day like we used to, but that only makes the time that I do see my friends, much more special.
Now for the things that I don't miss. I don't miss the incompetent "administration" that only showed their faces during ceremonies and assemblies. I don't miss the "Wicked Witches of the Main Office" who acted like the world was imploding when you walked in with a simple question or request, or the guidance counselor who got annoyed with me for walking in her office without an appointment. I don't miss the teachers who cared more about their sports teams than the subjects which they taught.
Maybe you had a different experience with the staff/faculty at your high school, and if that is the case, be thankful. I can't disregard, however, the handful of teachers I had who were absolutely amazing. The ones who worked with me tirelessly after school until I understood a subject or the ones who I could always go to to complain about other teachers. Those are the people that I am beyond thankful for, and they were a "ray of sunshine" over my high school experience. I keep in contact with most of these teachers through social media, and they know who they are.
Back to what I don't miss. I don't miss the sports teams that roamed the halls in packs thinking they were God's gift to the Earth. I don't miss the students who did not even know the teachers' names and simply referred to them as "Miss" and "Mister". That truly made me nauseous. I don't miss the drama over who was sitting at who's prom table or who was taking which bus to the venue.
I don't miss waking up at 6 AM. I don't miss the stress and anguish I put myself through to graduate in the top 20, which now means nothing to me. I don't miss cramming for an AP exam, only to score a 1. I don't miss the 100-degree temperature that my school was always kept at, regardless of the weather outside. And above all, I don't miss being treated like a toddler, and being demanded to throw my coffee away as soon as I walked through the front doors.
You may think that I'm cold and heartless for having these feelings, but I don't think I am. And don't let people think you're crazy for not missing your high school years. I miss all of my friends and the time that I spent with them outside of our physical high school. Even if I haven't spoken to some of those people since graduation, I still miss and cherish the memories I've made with them, as they've all had a positive impact on my life. High school is a chapter in my life that I have closed, and I only look forward to what is to come.
