One year ago, I was in your shoes. I felt the excitement of my last full day as a high school student and the nostalgia of experiencing a series of lasts: attending my last school assembly, taking my last final, closing my locker for the last time. I experienced both the weird sensation of looking in the mirror and realizing that the person in the cap and gown was me, and the overwhelming sense of relief that I was finally finished with this stage of my life.
I remember vividly what that entire range of emotions felt like. But I've also experienced a fair amount in the year since I walked across the stage and moved the tassel from one side of my cap to the other, and I'd like to pass on a few pieces of advice that I picked up along the way.
Most importantly, remember to savor these final moments; you've definitely earned every bit of that right. At the same time, know that there are good times ahead, too. I'm not pretending to know everything. In fact, I'll be the first to admit that there is a great deal about life that I have yet to learn or experience. But here are a few things I do know:
1. You shouldn't let anyone tell you that your best years are behind you.
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, but to me, the best years in life are still ahead of you. Sometimes it's hard to find where you fit in high school, but the world is so much bigger than the cafeteria where you weren't ever quite sure where to sit. The world is your oyster; go out and chase after your dreams. You still have so many wonderful years left to live, so take advantage of them.
2. You need to know that it's okay to miss some things.
Especially in the first year after graduation, you might go to a football game and feel a little sad as you watch the people who have taken your position on the field, your place cheering on the sidelines or your spot in the halftime performance. You might feel twinges of nostalgia when your sport's season starts, a new wave of sophomores are excited about earning their letter jackets, the band is gearing up for its yearly marching competition or you see pictures of next year's prom. And that's perfectly normal. In fact, it's good that you miss those things. It means you cared. Be thankful for those memories, but allow yourself to be excited about making new ones, too.
3. You can't be afraid to form new friendships.
As I saw in another alum's tweet, "You need friends to make it in a new place" (Credits to @MarleiInez). I think that sums this piece of advice up pretty well. In order to transition to this next phase of your life, you have to be willing to open yourself up to new people.
4. But you also shouldn't forget about the people who got you this far.
I'm talking about the friends who had your back, the teachers who pushed you harder than you wanted to be pushed at times, and your family who loved and supported you every step of the way. Don't forget to check up on them and thank them for believing in you. (And if you leave your hometown for college, work, etc., try to call your mom at least once a week. She's putting on a brave face right now, but it's hard on your parents when you leave the nest.)
5. You have to realize that sometimes it's going to be tough, but you are tough enough.
The real world doesn't have time for coddling. The price of being late is worse than a white slip of paper, and the consequences of forgetting a deadline are more severe than losing a few points. You're an adult; take responsibility for your actions. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, though, because oftentimes you learn best from failure.
Your entire life up to this point has been about preparing you for what comes next. Believe that you are ready for this. No matter what life throws at you, you can handle it. The past few years have made you tough enough.
Congratulations again on completing this chapter of your life.
Now get ready to write the next one.
