Being a senior is a scary thing. It's realizing you only have a little time left to enjoy the free lifestyle of little responsibility. But being a senior is also a great thing. It's enjoying being on top of the world, or at least feeling like you are. It's the time to do all the things you wished you had been doing the past three years. With the beginning of this amazing year, I'm promising to myself that I will live every minute of it to the fullest.

I promise to stop waiting. To stop waiting for this class to end, for tomorrow to come, for Friday afternoon, for fall break, for summer vacation. I promise to enjoy every second that is in front of me. I promise to take in each moment, good, bad, boring, ugly, and relish in it because this time next year I won't be experiencing it ever again. I promise to stop waiting to do the things I want or to relax or to enjoy myself, I will do it then. I will be happy and productive and lazy and crazy and anything and everything that I want to feel but keep pushing off for the time that I can't wait for but never actually reach.

I promise to take a deep breath in moments of stress. To be strong in moments of weakness, patient in trying times, to be brave in the face of anxiety. I promise to be calm and not let my stress ruin the opportunities in front of me. I will remember that I have my entire life to worry about deadlines, bills, and the future and that if I worry all the time, I will not have time to live. I promise to accept failure and mediocre events instead of obsessing over perfection. I will accept that a grade does not define my life and that getting upset over trivial things will only make matters worse. I promise to push the stress aside to see the possibilities that lay in front of me.

I promise to say yes to things that scare me. I promise to take advantage of the opportunities around me. To say yes to the job I've considered, to go out with new friends, to try new places and foods, to enjoy the life of a 21-year-old. I promise to step outside of my comfort zone. To stop making excuses and just go. I promise to not just be alive but actually live.

I promise to slow down and look at the flowers. I promise to enjoy what is around me while I still can. To look at the amazing people I have in my life. Not to just look, but to actually see and take in the enjoyment I get from their company. I promise to appreciate the things I have in my life instead of complaining about them. To take things with a grain of salt, to shrug off my annoyance, to be patient. I promise to enjoy the now, take everything as it is, and stop over thinking. I promise to be happy and smile at the little things because by now I realize that those are always the big things.

I promise to help myself as much as I help others. I promise to remember that I deserve a break too. I will ask for help when I need it. Instead of stressing, I will accept my best for what it is and try to let go of my need to do it all. I promise to still be there for everyone when I can but to step back and be there for myself. To put my health and sleep and happiness before others. I promise to learn to say no and not feel guilty.

I promise to make this year the best year yet. I promise to do all the things I never thought I could. I promise to give it my all. Most of all, I promise to leave this year smiling that I've had the chance to do it all. I promise this. What do you promise?