To the high school senior class of 2018,
Enjoy your last weeks of high school because once you walk across that stage, your life changes forever. The faces you've seen every day for the past 12 years will soon become faces you'll only see on your Instagram feed. Best friends won't be your best friends anymore, even if you thought your friendship would last a lifetime. It's sad to say, but some of the kids in your class will turn down the wrong path and never be heard from again.
Prom isn't as important as it's made out to be, either. It's just wearing an expensive dress for one night that no one will even remember. It's going with the boy who you thought was the love of your life. Sucks to say, but he's probably not. In 2017, a study showed that only 2 percent of marriages were high school sweethearts. But you'll "beat the odds", right?
For those making college decisions, please please please do NOT base your choice off of where your boyfriend/girlfriend wants to go. Your life is for you to determine. You create yourself and your own path. How horrible would it be to go across the country only to break up the first semester of your freshman year? Or what about staying home and missing out on so many opportunities? If your relationship is as healthy or as strong as you think it is, distance should be nothing. It's something that can be managed.
These last few weeks will probably be the last time many of you will play the sport that you've played all of your life. Play with your heart, soul, and play passionately. If you're going to college, try out for the sports team at your school, club teams, or the intramural teams. If you are that small percentage of people who are going to school and continuing their sport, work hard and play harder. Remember, not everyone is a starter their freshman or sophomore years. It takes time but your hard work will never go unnoticed.
Graduation is a bunch of mixed emotions. Some people had peaked in high school, so graduation was a slap in the face for them. They were the ones who ruled the school with no major responsibilities. However, I rolled out of my high school parking lot after graduation bumping "IDFWU" by Big Sean. Some people feel free and some people feel as though they need to go back in the fall.
Graduation parties are usually the last time you see these familiar faces again. Take pictures. Have fun, and of course, be safe. College is so much fun, yet requires hard work. High school was just a pregame for college. So hop aboard the bus to the real world. Next stop is a next big step in your life — whether it's college, the union, serving your country (thank you to those who do), or taking a year off because you're undecided.
Last but not least, this will be the last summer that you're not an actual adult yet. Use your time wisely. The rest of your life will be filled with work, internships, starting your career, and creating the rest of your life. This is the time that we will consider the good ol' days.
Best regards,
Someone who never wants to rewind
P.S.: Don't be those creepy older kids who show up to high school parties. Close the yearbook.
