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To The High School Graduate About To Live Out Their Last 'Normal' Summer

For a second, just slow down.

Tori Heck

Jun 06, 2018

University of Georgia

1194

To The High School Graduate About To Live Out Their Last 'Normal' Summer

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Life as you know it is coming to a screeching halt in about two months.

You did it.

You got the admissions letter, you walked across the stage, you turned the tassel.

You're done!

Everything in you is rushing toward the next step. All you can think about is where you're headed in the fall. You're so close to so much freedom, a whole new life, and all the wonderful things college brings.

This summer already feels different. All of your friends are chatting away in their new college GroupMe's. You and your mom have made 9 trips to target (this week) picking out the perfect pillows for a new bed hundreds of miles away from the one you've slept in for 18 years. You're working two jobs (plus babysitting) trying to save up the cash you need to make it through first semester.

For a second, just slow down.

Take it all in. This summer already feels different, but the summer a year from now will feel nothing like one you've had before. Your college best friends will fly back to their hometowns, possibly hours away from you, for what will seem like the longest three months without them. You and your friends from high school will all be busy. It will seem like there's never a time to all get together. Some will work at camp, some will have internships, some will stay in their college towns, and some will be back to working their two jobs (plus babysitting). You won't all end school at the same time, and some of you will go back much earlier than others in the fall.

It will just be different.

So, today when you head to the pool with your girl gang, or load up the boat for a day at the lake, make sure you're present in the moment. Take pictures in your mind of these moments you'll miss so dearly. Hug your best friend a little closer, and laugh a little louder.

Make every day of the next 2 months count, because this is the end of summer as you know it.

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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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To The High School Graduate About To Live Out Their Last 'Normal' Summer

For a second, just slow down.

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!