They say that high school is the best 4 years of your life and I refuse to believe that. I believe the best years of my life are ahead of me. However with that being said, I would relive it in a minute.
Right now, I bet those who are getting ready to graduate in the coming weeks are counting down the days left of school, fighting with their parents about what they are allowed to do for prom weekend, trying to figure out what to wear for graduation, finishing up all their final assignments, and itching to get out of the "confines" of high school.
If you walk into school at this moment, you know the name of almost every teacher and most of your classmates. You have your friends that you have been apart of your life for the last four years, maybe more. You don’t have to pay for your books!!! Nothing is going to be like it is right now.
When they call your name out at graduation, it’s like someone poured ice down your back. You're surprised in a weird way. The last four years went by so quickly and now it feels so sudden that High School is over. The emotions you’ve been pushing away begin rising to the surface. It’s quite a bittersweet moment.
In a few short months, you will be packing up your room into boxes to move into college. Leaving all familiarity behind, finally being able to be (semi) independent and embark on a great new adventure of higher learning. Most of you will go away to school, meeting tons of new people, rushing sororities/fraternities, joining clubs and organizations you never imagined you would be apart of. And all at once you’re going to start to learn who you really are and what you are capable of.
Thank your parents, teachers, clergy and coaches who have molded you into who you are today.
If I could give one piece of advice for you all, it would be to forgive anyone who has hurt you. Moving into this new chapter, everyone should have a clean slate. This is a time of letting go and it's important to get rid of any baggage you have and to rid any negative feelings that are weighing on your heart.
With this amazing journey ahead of you, I urge you all to be present in the moment that you are in and to look forward to college but to not forget about the precious time you have left in High School and at home.
Really pay attention your last few days in school, listen to your teachers when they give you advice, walk down the hallway with all the empty lockers, have fun at prom, walk down to the football field where all the games where and remember how far away everything felt, look at everyone’s faces when everyone gets their diplomas, watch everyone walk out.
Take every opportunity to hang out with your grandparents and family, play with your dog, go to your favorite places at home, see your friends as much as possible because it is never going to be the same as it is right now. Walk out of the door on graduation day and be yourself with no regrets.
Go into the world, be kind and chase your dreams.
