The feeling of adrenaline is still alive in my system after coming back from Knott’s Berry Farm today. From Bigfoot Rapids to Sierra Sidewinder, I rode numerous rides, while also having fun with my best friends. So what’s the catch? It was senior ditch day.

Although my senior ditch day is not prohibited by my school (it’s actually encouraged; even the security guard told me to go be “free”), I had many responsibilities to still take care of. Being the editor-in-chief of my school newspaper, I still had to make sure that the paper was ready to be released this coming Wednesday. There was still a lot to be done, and though I trust my staff can manage without me, I felt guilty that while I was enjoying my day at Knotts, they were struggling to finish everything. Officially, my last day of school was June ninth, but I knew my time wouldn’t be over until I finished the final issue of the year.

As I picked up my cap and gown for my graduation next week, I began to think if I should just stay at school and work all day on the newspaper. I was about to until one of my friends told me that I deserved to have fun. For the past four years, I always put my academics and extracurricular activities before my social life. There were several days where I would cancel my plans because I had school responsibilities. The sacrifices I made were worth it in the end, but my biggest regret was not enjoying my high school experience enough. But now, on senior ditch day, I just wanted to have a day to myself where I didn’t have to worry about whether I would finish an article on time. So, I decided to not ditch senior ditch day and ended up at Knotts.

The anxiety of the paper not being done did not exit my system, so I made constant calls and texts to the rest of my staff. Instead of talking with my friends while we waited in line, panic arose within me. However, after reflecting back, I realized that I deserved to have fun. I’m graduating in a week, and I don’t want my memory of senior ditch day to only revolve around the anxiety of the paper. I needed to have fun, I needed to make the memories that I went without for so many years. For the rest of the day, I enjoyed myself, just focusing on the present and not worrying about what was to come. That’s not to say that I didn’t send the occasional text to my staff, but I eased off and left it in their hands.

I may have to go back to school on Monday, despite it being a senior activities day, but I am glad that at least I can say I made memories with friends at senior ditch day. Academics should come first, but I learned that sometimes, you just need to allow yourself to be “free” and have fun. High school isn’t something I can go back to, but I’m happy I got to end my high school journey on a good note.