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Dear High School Seniors

An open letter to HS seniors

Sarah Halioua

Nov 09, 2016

SUNY Cortland

Dear High School Seniors,

I know that college is all that you can think about right now. I know it seems so far away, but trust me it's closer than you think. So for now enjoy the time that you have left in high school because believe it or not, you will miss it. Enjoy your last homecoming, prom, and spirit week. Enjoy being with the people you have grown up with. Enjoy living at home with your family, even though they drive you nuts 75% of the time. Enjoy having a stable job and not being a broke college student. Enjoy not having to live off a meal plan just yet.

That being said, it isn't wrong to be excited for the future. Definitely plan ahead. Go on your college tours early so you can narrow down your list before you even apply. Apply to a good amount of schools that you would be happy attending. Don't apply to 10 schools like I did because you will waste $500(minimum) on applications. Do your research about the schools before you visit them too so then you can ask your tour guide a bunch of questions, trust me they will love it!

High school students always ask me how I knew which college was right for me(I'm a tour guide). My answer is always the same, you just know. When you go on a tour you will know what the "right" school is. When you can actually see yourself walking around that particular campus you know that is the one for you. I also chose Cortland because it is a huge education school so it went along with my major really well. I was also happy that it wasn't too far from home.

Another suggestion I have for all of you high school seniors is try and meet someone in the department you wish to be a part of at your top schools. Before I committed to Cortland I met the chair of the math department since I wanted to be a dual major in math and education. It was nice having that connection with a faculty member before I even came to campus. This was also another thing that influenced my college decision.

You may go on a few tours and hate them, don't get discouraged. You will find the right fit for you eventually. Be excited for the future, but don't take the present for granted. Enjoy this last year in high school. Senior year is the best because you have so much to look forward to. Graduation is right around the corner which is scary but exciting at the same time. Live it up.

Good luck to all of you,

Sarah

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Dear High School Seniors

An open letter to HS seniors

Subscribe to our Newsletter

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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