To all the high school seniors out there, it's almost over. Scary, right? While some of you may be so ecstatic to get out of your hometowns and move away to some big university, others are worrying and filled with horror about what step they are supposed to take next. Personally, when my senior year came around I thought I was excited. I had an idea in mind about what I wanted to do with my life, I knew where I wanted to go to school and I even thought I understood my financial status. It was a really nice feeling at the time...until reality hit after the months flew by. Once the end of my senior year really started approaching like a freight train, I had no idea what I wanted to be, where I was gonna go, and heck, I barely knew what my relationship status; let alone what my financial status would be. I was honestly terrified. The girl that was once so sure of going to Missouri State University, becoming a kindergarten teacher and having to take out minimal loans for school had finally realized something: you never know what will happen in that last portion of your senior year.
The reality of going off to college honestly doesn't even hit most people until the week, or even the day, they're moving into a tiny, 4x4 (or so it seems) room. That was when it really set in for me. I had packed up all of my things four days before it was time for me to actually head to campus because I was so excited for college life. I still remember the day I pulled into Towers Circle, my car filled to the roof with bags, my stomach dropped and I thought I was going to either throw up or cry...or both. As I got out of my car, I was immediately surrounded by people in fraternities that were going to help me carry my bags to my new home. It was overwhelming to say the least. I won't sugarcoat the move-in process or the first week you're gone, because for me and many others, it was hard to adjust. However, if you keep an open, positive mind you will ease into adulthood and you'll appreciate it.
After chatting with a few current high school seniors, I got many responses that consisted of "I'm overwhelmed." "Leaving the people and place I grew up in is horrifying!" and "I don't even know how to 'adult', how am I supposed to move out already?" I realized just how important it is to stress to those seniors that everything will be okay. Yes, it is stressful.; and yes, it is overwhelming and a little horrifying. You're moving out to be on your own, in what is most likely a new town, being scared is expected and understandable. The thing to keep in mind is that you won't be the only scared freshman that feels like a small fish in a big pond. You'll only feel out of your element for a little while.
Even if you aren't heading off to college next August, adulthood and the "next step" can be scary. All you have to do is remember that you can handle what life will throw at you. So with all of that being said, as you move closer to the end of your senior year and closer to opening a new chapter of your life, cherish the moments you have left in high school and prepare yourself for the exciting memories to come. It is a scary, yet wonderful ride.
