Can you believe it? It's already March. Spring break is right around the corner, and I'm sure all of you who are counting down the days know that after you cross that mile marker, there's only about 2 months and some change left until the big day when you'll say goodbye to your home of the last 4 years. 1 year ago I was exactly where you are. I was starting my last high school soccer season, my first and last track season, and putting what felt like my life on the line to save my 7-year-long 4.0 GPA. I was severely sleep deprived, waist-deep in silly high school drama, and I just KNEW that I was 100 percent ready to move on and never look back. But if I knew then what I know now- that 1 year later all of the drama and stress and my one 89.7 percent in AP Statistics that kept me from being in the top one percent wouldn't actually have any effect on my life after high school- I definitely would have tried harder to make those last couple of months count for more than just crossing "walking across the stage" off my list. So, for those of you who think you're totally ready to leave, let me just offer you some advice before you throw in the towel with these last couple of months.
Rekindle broken friendships.
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It's an age-old story. You're best friends when you get to high school, you even claimed “best friends forever” in 8th grade. But you get thrown into the whirlwind of drama, homework, and extracurriculars and suddenly you and your middle school bestie are completely different people than you were when you were 13 (shocker), and you've sadly drifted apart. That's OK. You've both grown and changed, and that's what's supposed to happen. But that doesn't mean it's too late to save the friendship. If the bridge has not yet been burned then don't set fire to it. Why leave high school on a bad note with anyone? You never know when you'll see these people again after graduation, so you might as well patch up old holes.
Stay focused.
A common misconception among second-semester high school seniors is that since you've (mostly) already been accepted to college and taken the ACT, then you don't really have to apply yourself anymore. You need to pass all of your classes, but a C or maybe even a D on your transcript doesn't really matter because the college can't “un-accept” you, right? …WRONG-O. Hell YES they can “un-accept” you, and you bet your bottom dollar they'll put you on academic probation if you roll up to the function with subpar grades. Don't be stupid. Stay focused, remember what's at stake, and keep your eyes on the prize.
This possibly contradicts my last point, but; Stop worrying about the things you can't control.
Yes, I know I just said don't slack off, and I in no way am trying to say it's ever okay to half-ass things in life, but stop getting your panties in a wad over every little bump you find on the road. Finish all of your homework, but if you have to choose between sleep and pulling an all-nighter, choose sleep. You'll have plenty of time for all-nighters in college, so savor these last couple of months of beauty rest. Don't come to school looking homeless and smelling like a petting zoo, but stop worrying so much about what everyone thinks of you. In 2 months their opinions will not matter anyway, so rock that groutfit if you want to pal. If an opportunity presents itself, go for it. Worry about the consequences later (unless it's illegal). “When you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.”
Please. Don't forget to dance.
Thank your teachers… more than once.
I know that as a high schooler it can seem as if your teachers are more against you than with you sometimes. But trust me when I say that one day you will realize they were some of the most influential people in shaping you into the person you currently are and will become. They made you work when you didn't want to, opened up your eyes to what you're truly capable of, and many of them listened and offered advice when you had nowhere else to turn. During these last couple of months, really let your teachers know what they've meant to you. That's what they live for, they love knowing that they're making a difference, affecting change. Don't be afraid to reach out to your old elementary and middle school teachers as well, because we all had to start somewhere, right?
You… yes, YOU. You know exactly who you are. Stop worrying about that stupid boy!
I'm going to make this short and sweet. Honey, if he hasn't changed by now, he's not going to change. High school boys are not worth losing sleep, fixing running mascara, or ending friendships over. Do not waste the last two months of your high school career crying and stressing over a stupid boy. PERIOD.
Take advantage of every available opportunity to hang out with your friends.
I've already said it twice and I'll say it a million more times: after graduation, there is a good chance that you will never talk to over half of these people again. No matter what you say or think now, keeping in touch is just difficult. And just as you changed when you got to high school, you'll change again when you get to college. So right now, when your friends are still close by, go to the mall, go to a movie, or just spend time with them. I promise that if you don't, in a year you will regret it.
I know that by this point in the year you're burnt out. You're tired and you're sick of the same old thing and seeing the same old people and walking the same old hallways every day for the last 4 years. But don't forget to make the most of every moment. Because no matter how sucky high school can be, and no matter what you think right now, “You're gonna miss this. You're gonna want this back. You're gonna wish these days, hadn't gone by so fast.” Relish in the simplicity of these last couple of months, and don't leave anything unsaid or undone. You only get to graduate high school once, so don't do it with any regrets.
