Dear high school senior,

I am not sure you've realized it, but you have already attended your last home football game, and sure, you may go again next year, but it will never be the same as when you are a student. You have said your last chants, some which may never be said again. You may have hung up your cleats and played in your last ever high school sporting event, a sport you have trained to be good at for years. For the next few months, you are using your locker that's been there since freshman year for the last time. You are getting your last glimpses at classmates and teachers you may never see again. You are eating the last of your school lunches. It is the end. It may only seem that way sometimes, but the last few months will be over in the blink of an eye.

I'm sure right now you could go on and on about how done you are with your town, and how ready you are to just get away to whichever university you have chosen — or are about to choose — but just hold on. Trust me, I get it. It seems like the chapter you are in right now is coming to an end, and you're ready to just write it off and move on, but please, do not wish it away. The days are long toward the end, and I am sure the typical high school drama isn't over, but you still have days left, so make the most of them.

Relationships you have in high school are ones like no other. Your friends have been there forever, they are the only day-ones you can ever have, since no one else you will meet from here on has literally been there since day one. Your teachers genuinely care about you. If you do not realize that now, just wait for college where the professors' answers consist of “read the syllabus" and “too bad." Your parents are the best. Even though you don't realize it just yet, they are the only ones who have been there and will be there through it all — and still love you unconditionally. Your siblings are not as annoying as you think, and contrary to whatever you believe right now, you will miss them more than you can imagine. As I am sure you know, leaving your puppy will be an absolute heartbreaker. Your hometown holds all the people that you will look back and heart achingly miss, so please, do not rush your time there.

You have about three months left, so live it up. Take a day off with your grade and go explore, because the times to just hang out are numbered. Meet up in the lot. Take a night to sit and reflect with your friends. Be nice to those who are not your friends anymore, because high school is almost over and there is no point in wasting the energy of disliking others. Enjoy prom and do not stress about it. Whatever limo you are in, you will get there, trust me. Get your hair and makeup done, because the next time you may be getting that done is for your wedding. If you don't have a date, just ask someone because you will enjoy them, whomever they may be. Do a senior prank, because why not? Be careless prom weekend, do not worry or fight. There is no time for drama, just enjoy the company of your peers. Be excited for graduation and look around a lot. Take mental pictures because it will be the end. Be happy, and if you are nothing else, be present.

Yes, next year life will be great. College is fun, but high school is not hell, no matter how much you believe it is. Your hometown will not haunt you - it will just simply always be home.

Sincerely,

A college freshman