Dear Class of 2017,

You did it. You made it to your last year of high school. Now it’s time to not waste a second on this year because you’ll blink, and the graduation ceremony will have started. Trust me. I know. It’s one of those times in life that will go by so fast, you'll still feel like you’re a wide eyed Sophomore with a long stretch of school left.

As someone who recently graduated, it still blows my mind that this chapter of my life is over, but there are things in life that only last for a season… and that’s okay.

Here’s some advice before this period of your life get’s crazy busy, but also the most fun.

1. Go to the football games. Even if you’re not into the sport, go anyways. The games are super fun times to spend with friends while enjoying a concession stand hot dog.
2. Get as involved as you can. For me, the clubs and organizations I was involved in really helped me enjoy school because I gained more friends, and it gave me something to look forward to after class.
3. Enjoy learning. For some, school isn’t the most fun for them, but for me, I had quite the opposite experience. High school is the time to fall in love with learning and discover new subjects you enjoy that you never thought you would.
4. Get to know your teachers. They want you help you, and when you have a great connection with your teacher, it makes class even more enjoyable. Also, when a teacher knows that you care, they are also willing to really help you learn the materials.
5. Go to Prom. For this one, I don’t care whether or not you are much of a dancer or anything, but go. It’s so much fun. Even if you don’t have a date, a big group of friends is also a great option.
6. Take time and invest in other students’ lives. At the end of Senior year there will be so many people that you can’t believe you weren’t friends with sooner.
7. Do your schoolwork. I know people say Senior year is a blow off, but really, it isn’t. Colleges can decline you even after they have accepted you. Also, you do have to send in a final transcript to your future college, so just be aware.
8. Apply to college as quickly as possible. With all of the hustle and bustle of Senior year, applying for school early was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my academic career.
9. Be on time for class. You’re still in school, so you should still be serious about it.
10. Go on any Senior trip or field trip offered to you. Whether it’s to the zoo, Six Flags, or anywhere else, it’s fun to have a day to go somewhere with people from your school.
11. Challenge yourself academically. Even if it’s just one AP class. I would suggest at least giving it a try. It looks great on college applications, and sometimes, if you don’t challenge yourself, you won’t even know the potential you have.
12. Learn about who you are and what you believe. It’s time to discover more about who you want to be.
13. Attend school functions. Go support friends in the talent show, in the International Festival, in the play or musical. It will be worth it.
14. And lastly, take in every moment because it will be over before you know it.

Love,

A Member of The Class of 2016