Dear High School Teachers,

Now that I've been in college for almost a semester, I've learned to realize that everything you've taught us is for our own benefit, so I have something to say to you: thank you.

Thank you for challenging me. At the time, I may have complained through all of the homework, papers, and projects you made us complete, but now I understand that you weren't (purposely) torturing us — you were teaching us. You were showing us what it means to work hard and push ourselves to our limits. You were showing us how to have good time management. Although the workload was a curse at the time, looking back, it is a blessing. Now, when I face my workload in college, I still feel challenged but I'm definitely better off than others, thanks to you.

Thank you for teaching me respect. Although you received many rude looks when you confiscated our phones during class for texting while you were talking, this definitely helped me become a better person and taught me the importance of giving people my undivided attention.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of being on time. Although I complained whenever I got marked tardy for being a few minutes late, this has taught me the significance of being punctual to everything. Regardless of if it's an interview or a date, you showed me that being on time is a very important trait and that having this trait shows others that I'm a dependable person.

Thank you for always asking me "why." From analyzing poems to movies to having to explain the importance of the mitochondria being the powerhouse of the cell, you have shown me that everything has a reason behind it. This has taught me to act with meaning and to refrain from doing things just to do them.

Thank you for never giving up on me. From answering my questions to constantly being available via e-mail and holding after school review sessions, you have always provided me with countless chances to receive help. Despite my repeated mistakes and questions, you still continued to help me, and never showed anything less than hope.

Thank you for doing all of the above, and much more. Without you, I know for a fact that my classmates and I would not have made it this far.

Sincerely,

Your forever grateful student