To the high school senior…

If you are reading this, you’re in your last year of high school. Feels good, doesn’t it? You’re almost done, and I bet you are so excited for the freedom of college or just being done with it, but I’m here to tell you, enjoy it while it lasts.

Go to as many school events as possible.

Go to as many of your school's sporting events, dances, or club events as you can, because, trust me, those are memories you’re going to want to remember. Some of my best memories are sitting at a football game screaming at the top of my lungs cheering for my classmates. Going to school dances wasn’t my scene but now, looking back, I regret not going to some of them. Another thing, even if the student section is a little too loud or crazy for you, go stand in it anyway — you might find yourself having the time of your life.

Hang out with your friends as much as possible.

Hang out with your friends as much as you can, while you can, because, pretty soon, you won’t see them every day at lunch or in the halls. Once you all graduate and go your different ways, you’ll barely see them because everyone will end up in different places. You might think that it’s easy for all of you to meet up again but, the truth is, it’s harder to get together than it was in high school. So enjoy the memories you make with your friends now, because in a couple years you might not be their friend.

Everything you hate about high school will soon become something you miss.

When I was in high school, there were so many things that just annoyed me. For example, those uncomfortable gym uniforms, the lunches, and even the lockers that were way too small. Now that I’m in college, I miss all of those things. I miss those horrible lunches, just because I got to eat it with my friends. I miss my locker even though it was small, because it was my locker. I miss so those uncomfortable gym uniforms, the teachers that annoyed me sometimes, and even those people that just got on my nerves.

It’s gone in the blink of an eye.

Enjoy every single minute, make memories, and have no regrets, because, honestly, once you blink, it's gone. One minute, you’re sitting at lunch laughing it up with your closest friends, and the next you’re sitting in a stuffy dorm room without them. If you play a high school sport, make the most of it even if it is not your favorite. You’re going to miss it even if you think now that you won’t. Trust me on this one if you’re an athlete. Once you’ve graduated and that season comes along the following year, it’s so hard realizing that you’ll never play on the court or field again with the teammates you’ve been with since you were little. Just remember to enjoy every moment, because once you get your diploma there’s no going back.

College advice.

Apply for scholarships now and as many as you can. The more money for your education, the better. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. It is way less stressful if you apply early. That way you aren’t frantically trying to find a school. Visit! Visit! Visit! Don’t go off pictures and videos off campuses when deciding where to go to school, because sometimes the pictures might not be what it’s really like. Visit the schools you want to go to, and trust me when you are visiting schools you’ll know which one is the best for you. You just feel at home when you find the right one. If you commute you’ll still know. Finally, prepare for college to be stressful, because no matter how prepared you think you are, it still will be stressful.

Good luck to all you seniors, live in the moment, and enjoy it while it lasts!