It's been said time and time again that high school is the best four years of your life, and I used to make fun of people who said that, mainly because while I was in high school it seemed very similar to torture. I could handle the classes and the people there weren't terrible, but it was the monotonous routine of waking up and doing the same thing day in and day out that got to me. However, after being in college, I've realized that I took a lot of things for granted in high school, and now I've come to genuinely miss them. So if you're a senior, or even just in high school, make sure you appreciate these things I'm about to tell you.

1. Football games

Friday night football games under the lights were the highlights of my week. Whether I had to play in the band that night or actually got to watch the game, there was nothing better than freezing my butt off with friends and cheering on my team. Depending on what college you go to, you may still be able to go to football games. But it will never quite compare to doing it with your childhood friends and cheering on your classmates.

2. Homecoming week

Over the course of high school, you’ll more than likely participate in homecoming festivities. Maybe it’s float building with your class that you enjoy, or maybe just going to the bonfire. Maybe you’re someone who enjoys the homecoming game or just going to the dance afterwards. Whatever it was that you enjoyed about homecoming, make sure you appreciate every bit of it because once you’re in college, it won’t be the same.

3. High school sports

Sports as a high school athlete are a lot more competitive than you would believe, especially when it comes to basketball season. The tryouts that nearly killed you, the exhausting practices every single day may seem annoying at the time, but when you go undefeated two years in a row and then win the championship for your conference, it all seems worth it. I’m sure college sports are similar, but there's something about playing with the people you grew up with and have played with for years that makes it stand out.

4. Winter carnival

Winter carnival is honestly one of my favorite times during high school. Not only does it force your class to bond, but it also gives you an excuse to play games all day rather than do school work, and, to top it off, you get to dress up and go to a dance after. A lot of people choose to skip this day and think of it as dumb and immature, but it’s honestly one of the last times you get to play limbo with your class and make a fool of yourselves.

5. Prom

The excitement and anticipation for prom were always so much fun in high school. From going out with your friends on the search for your perfect prom dress to finding a date (or just going by yourself), it was always so much fun. It’s one of the best nights of your life because you get to dress up and dance your worries away for a night, which is something you don’t really get to do in college.

6. Graduation

Last, but certainly not least, is graduation. After all your years of hard work come to an end, you get to experience the last step with your class. Turning the tassel on your cap is probably one of the greatest feelings in the world and it definitely makes high school worth it.

The point is, your time in high school is short and the memories you make there will last a lifetime. So take advantage of all the opportunities high school gives you. If you make the best of it, high school can really be the best four years of your life.