Senior year was the craziest year that I have ever had. I never thought the stereotypes would be as spot on as they were until I actually experienced it. It really hit me that this was the last time that I would get to be a kid. Sadly, this realization happened about a week ago. I'm moving into my college dorm in a month. Yeah. Shit just got real.

Dear incoming high school seniors,

Yes, you finally made it.

It's about time right? I don't care if you hate high school with a burning passion, or if you love it so incredibly much. Either way, at some point this year you will be hit with the unsettling feeling of having your childhood slip away. Whether this means going away to college in the fall, getting a job right away, or even losing the opportunity of seeing your friends every day, at some point, it's going to hit you like a shit ton of bricks. Hard.

Personally, I was not the biggest fan of high school. This isn't to say that I didn't have my good times because I did. The town that I've grown up in and my personality and values just didn't mesh. However, I still had this harsh realization followed by some scary emotions. There are so many things that I wish I would've done differently. But hey, you have the opportunity to make up for my mistakes!

Whatever you do, do not wish this time away. Spend time with friends, go out on the weekends, and if you're going away to college, enjoy the last few months you have debt-free. These are times that you cannot get back. This is no time to start unnecessary drama and burn bridges. Every one of us, even the people you hate with all of your being, deserve to go out on a good note.

Enjoy the time you have spent with your teachers. Judging from my experience as a teacher's daughter, they really do care and want the best for you, even though it may not seem like it. Respect them, appreciate them, and please, try to turn in your homework on time.

Senioritis is alive and well people. Who knows, you may have had it since freshman year. However, I always believed it was a myth and only people who are inherently lazy experience it. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. It happens to everyone in some way, shape, or form. Whether it's not coming to school, procrastinating more than usual, or just crying every night because you don't want to do anything, it's going to show up. Please just do your best, you're all in the same boat here.

Go to the football games, go to every dance, support your friends in their activities. Go out and appreciate the activities that you don't participate in. If you love sports, attend the musical. If you are amazing at math, take an art class. Absorb every bit of information you can, because this is the last time you are going to get to do it for free. Most of all, have fun. Laugh until you can't breathe with your friends, eat way too much guacamole, and play Mario Kart as much as possible. Seriously. The Mario Kart is a must.

I know it is easy to wish this year away, especially when you think of all the classes and homework. Personally, I think the belief that high school is the best part of your life is a bunch of shit, but that doesn't mean this year has to suck just like the rest. Enjoy every person. Enjoy every free day in class. Enjoy every boring assembly that no one cares about. You don't get a second chance.

Sincerely,

The girl who wishes she could do it all again