Shockingly, High School Musical did not prepare me for real high school, but no one should have expected that, anyway. At this point in your high school career, I'm sure that you have swallowed that bitter pill and tossed away your hopes of finding a Troy and Gabriella-esque romance -- unless you were one of the lucky ones to land a charming, handsome, dual musical-theater and basketball superstar. While East High students sang and danced their way through high school's series of unfortunate events, celebrating each other's differences through spontaneous outbursts of flash mobs in the cafeteria, most other schools do not.
In actuality, the end of high school, unremarkably, consists of Advanced Placement tests dwindling away, and the once overly anticipated promposal Facebook posts losing steam. Milestones have been reached, tears have been shed, and yearbooks have been signed -- most, generically, and a select few sincerely. High school is coming to a close, and you may realize that you are more eager to start a new chapter than you are sad to close one. That is okay.
While some approach graduation with nostalgia, longing for just a few more days of high school bliss, I am here to tell you that it is okay to be more excited for the wonders that the future holds than it is to harbor a yearning for the past. Some, like I did, feel a little bit of both: apprehensive of what lies ahead, but also upset to leave some things behind. It turns out that it is healthy to embrace graduation because this is the natural progression your life takes; and it is moving forward, not backwards. Accepting and celebrating these changes allow this transition to be much swifter, easing you into a sometimes daunting, captivating new phase of life.
Sure, that one time Ricky's parents were out, and he threw a crazy party junior year was pretty fun (there was even beer pong). I'm not saying that it wasn't. However, tailgates, mixers, date parties, and mature college events, in general, are far more enticing because you are ready for them. That is okay. Some of your childhood friends will remain a text message away, frequently reachable through FaceTime in times of crisis or just to catch up, but others prove difficult to reach. That is okay. You understand that you both are just on different paths, exploring individual pursuits of happiness, and you will reconnect during break if that truly is a valuable friendship. That is okay. You may recognize that the activities you spent your entire life perfecting and participating in no longer interest you. That is okay. You really aren't that disappointed when the final buzzer sounds off on your last game, even though you expected yourself to be a wreck. That is okay.
Many will advise you to take moments to appreciate your last few weeks of high school glory, stop for a second to breathe in the sweaty hallway stench, and bask in the grandeur of prom night. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't do those things, because they are important. However, while being grateful and reminiscing on your high school experience, keep in mind that a far more exciting journey awaits you on the other side. Not every commencement culminates in an emotional, picture-perfect ending like that of the High School Musical cast -- mine certainly didn't. As for college graduations, I'll keep you posted.
