Congratulations, high school graduates! You did it! You graduated. It’s the day you never thought would actually happen. It’s a day and time of lots of tears. Both the happy and the sad kind.
For me, high school felt like eternity. I liked the school part, but outside of that, I had a lot going on. Heartache, a struggling relationship with Christ, high points and low points with my self esteem, a run-in with the host home/temporary foster system, living out of my friend’s sister’s bedroom a handful of nights (thank you, you know who you are. If your parents are reading this, I hope you know how thankful I am for your hospitality and support through all of that), the most incredible support system of my five best friends, beautiful memories with certain friends I’ll never forget, a lot of inner personal growth, learning who my real friends were and thousands of hours of babysitting! For those of you who went to high school with me or were even my teachers during those years, some of those things may come as a surprise to you. For others, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
A personal tragedy that happened in my life 266 days ago at the time of writing this has made me think a lot about high school and everything that came with it. As hard, great, fun, terrifying, unforgettable, sad and happy those years were, I wouldn’t change it. 16-year-old-me wants to slap me in the face for saying that because of how badly I wanted all of that to be over. However, 19-year-old me looks back on those years with a lot of nostalgia. I neither smile or frown when I think back to that time. I just thank God for using all of the good and bad to grow me into the person that I am today.
When I look back at pictures of myself from before college, I don’t recognize the girl smiling at the camera. I was a completely different person then. I have nothing in common with that girl anymore. I am so much stronger, independent, happy, fulfilled, motivated, accomplished, hard-working, and a million other things that that girl never was. If you aren’t happy with who you are now, or even if you are happy, get used to the idea that in 365 days, you will be so much different, and hopefully for the better! College is the first taste of freedom and being almost completely independent. That brings a lot of challenges, but you are strong enough to make it work.
I would say that this is my greatest piece of advice, but I realize that it’s actually my second. I’ll get to my biggest piece of advice soon. GET INVOLVED! My freshman year, I wasn’t involved at all. Instead, I was getting into things I shouldn’t have been and surrounding myself with a lot of new friends that I would soon find out weren’t my real ones. Second semester, I joined an a cappella group and got involved with AppolCorps, a program for incoming students during Welcome Weekend. All of a sudden, sophomore year came around, and BOOM! Before I knew it, I was working three part time jobs to keep up with bills, and involved in four organizations. There were lots of long days, but I grew to love every single minute of it. That isn’t for everybody, but I do encourage you to get involved in at least two clubs or organizations and build from there if you decide to. Getting involved at Appalachian has made me grow a lot and learn so much about the world, Boone, college and my university. I have surrounded myself with people who motivate me and lift me up instead of allowing me to settle for less than what I deserve. The change in who I surround myself with has been incredible. I see myself accomplishing more, pushing myself to be better, and taking control of my own life. Now I know my potential, more of my talents, my strengths, my weaknesses, and a ton of absolutely amazing students, faculty and staff at this school.
My biggest piece of advice will sound silly. A few of you may roll your eyes or even skip this part because you “already know what I’m going to say”. Well, stay tuned for a few more sentences and then I’ll finish up. God is so good. Having a relationship with Him in college is going to be a lot different than it was for you in high school. Going to church on Sunday mornings means getting up really early after a late Saturday night. Reading your Bible means less time reading textbooks (let’s be honest. Are you really reading your textbooks anyway?). Praying before your meals means remembering to do it yourself instead of your mom or dad praying for you. There are so many things that you may or may not have done before college that now you have to really make a choice and decide to do for yourself. I admit, I don’t remember going to church since July 5th last summer. I don’t go to a college ministry and I’m not signed up to go on a mission trip anytime soon. However, I pray multiple times a day. I thank God for allowing me to wake up to see the sun, asking Him to continue blessing my beautiful relationship and times with best friends, praying over friends who are in both highs and lows in their life, and so much more. I love reading the Bible, whether its just a few verses, paragraphs, or chapters. Challenging myself and having conversations with friends and sorority sisters about Christ has also helped me grow in my relationship with Him. These are the things that will turn “being a Christian” from following a religion, to truly having a relationship with Him, which is absolutely the most important thing in the world.
College is so much fun. Don’t worry about the things you’ll miss from high school because I promise you that there are way better things waiting for you once August rolls around. Keep in touch with the friends you will always remember, and take lots of pictures that you’ll be able to hold onto for years and years. Know that you are strong, capable, and ready. Get involved, focus on your studies, take risks, try something new, and make new friends! DON’T go home every weekend, but DO cherish the time with your family when you get to see them. For some of you, your family is your closely-knit friend group. For others, “family” is your biological family. Whatever that word means to you, cherish them. Don’t take one second with them for granted and don’t forget to tell them how much you love them and how much they mean to you.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Get set! It will be a rollercoaster, but the best ride of your life. It goes by fast, so make it count.
