The spring brings with it new possibilities, challenges, and new growth. Individuals progress through school in a way that reflects the spring. They bloom and grow from tough conditions and hard work to create beautiful flowers and achievements. The warmer air and weather promote individuals going outside and having fun, just in time for graduation. It allows for the strengthening of connections before graduation.

Graduation is the build-up of years in school for something tangible, a diploma. But not only that, it's a time of celebration of all the years of hard work and effort. It's a time that culminates with validation and pride that all of the hard work was not for nothing.

With graduation comes the freedom of being an independent individual. It means the opportunity to work and live on your own and completely for yourself with no plan or school anymore. But it also means that the community of school will be gone. You will no longer be a part of a community of similarly aged individuals with similar interests where interactions are promoted and interests able to be explored in clubs. It becomes harder as you get older to be able to find such a community. The nostalgia of school will not be forgotten, however, even though the physical act of being enrolled in school is over.

Graduation may come and go, but the memories and connections made while in school will last a lifetime. Graduation, though sad and regret-inducing, is a time to be celebrated. All the hard work has paid off. The connections made will thrive and be robust as long as time and effort are placed into maintaining them, like the flowers that spring brings. But also, adulthood and the future allow for more chances to meet new individuals.

This may seem like an end, but it is just a beginning to the rest of our vibrant and exciting lives.