Dear class of 2017,

Congratulations on graduating from high school! Now that you have graduated, I can now introduce you to how you have no relevance in your town, unless you come from the tiniest village, maybe. I am here to tell you that sure, you might have been on prom court, in the cutest relationship, had a 4.0 GPA and everything else in life, but say goodbye to all of it. From the time you get that diploma, you are irrelevant.

I had the perfect high school experience: great grades, teachers loved me, I had the best boyfriend, I was nearly prom queen, a great soccer career, part of multiple clubs, I had it all. Then, I moved far, far, away for college. Pennsylvania isn’t super close to Florida, which means I was forgotten. I lost everything that made my life at home, home. How is this place home if you feel like a stranger?

College came and it felt more like home because I was cared about and had a family dynamic. Now, home for the summer everything has changed around here. I go to the gym and see people I graduated with and I just lost in a place so familiar. I moved away because I knew deep down it was where I belonged, I just didn’t think I would have to cash in my hometown to be as happy as I am. But, that’s ok. I had all this amazing stuff back home, but college gave me more in return, a life worth living.

Sure, I may not be the perfect girl anymore, but when was perfect ever fun? I am now a mess, barely know what I want to do with my life, and that’s perfectly fine. I am living an adventure on finding myself. I am learning more about my life, who I want to be, who I am now. I am not a robot or obligated to be friends with certain people just because I am dating someone. I am free to make stupid, really stupid choices. I can go out and party and then sit in class on Monday like it never happened. I can be a person who is confident and loved. I may not have the 4.0 anymore, but I am working harder than ever. This is what it is all about.

Irrelevant or not, class of 2017, I warn you, don’t think your popularity or social standing matters once you walk out those doors. I mean I knew that, but I really didn’t KNOW that I would feel so lonely. Your life after high school is what will matter. Don’t worry about the small stuff now, believe me in a year from now you will understand that you don’t need to cry over that boy all summer and that college is a lot harder than it looks and that you will get to be whoever you choose to be. Congratulations Class of 2017, welcome to the next chapter of your life!

Sincerely,

The (almost) prom queen