This is a message to all the high school seniors out there who think they missing out on something or feel like they don't appreciate their high school years. I'm here to tell you that you're not alone and you are definitely not missing out on anything.
It's your senior year and all you hear is how much you need to "Enjoy your last days," "Senior year goes by so fast!" and "You'll never see these people again so make the most of it now!" I heard it. We all hear it. For the majority of students, you know the ones who don't say much because they aren't the popular out-going type, senior year drags on. And drags on. You are not alone when you think senior year isn't the best time of your life, because trust me, it isn't, nor should it be.
The shear stress of senior year is almost too much to handle. Scholarship deadlines, application deadlines, senior project, prom plans, work, the list goes on and on. Don't forget the hundreds of dollars that you or your parents have to shell out just to graduate. Senior dues, application fees, cap and gown, prom, graduation party. It's too much. There are so many things you have to do to "prepare for college." There are so many meeting devoted to finding the right college and being "College ready." "Prepare for college and the rest of your life!" Okay but like I'm 17... chill. Why is there so much to do as a 17 and 18 year old anyway?
There are pep rallies every month that you don't have the time or the energy for. Whether it's about cap and gown information, project graduation fundraising, or homecoming, it's always something. Homecoming is supposed to be so fun for the seniors. But when you're the one that will never in a million years be nominated and you're not into the whole cheering section thing of a football or basketball game, really what's the point of participating? And because you feel this way, you have to fight off the bubbly, popular people because they want everyone excited and involved in school spirit. "Come to the game or you hate America!" That doesn't get old...
All I heard throughout my high school years was, "get involved as much as you can, you'll regret it senior year when you wish you had done more." I'm here to tell you that this really isn't true. I never bought this because I've never really wanted to get involved. When I was a senior, I never once regretted the things I didn't do. I went to a total of 5 football games all 4 years, and something like 10 basketball games. I played tennis for one spring and I'm pretty content with that. You really won't miss the things you didn't do because there's so much more to life than having fun in high school.
You'll get to college and be around people you have more in common with. You'll experience new things and make amazing friends that will last a lifetime. There's so much more to life than having a memorable time in high school. You'll get married and have a family. You'll have an amazing career. You might even have a terrible career but great friends and family to support you.
You're not missing out on anything when you don't go to the homecoming game or participate in spirit week. The people who think this is important now will soon find out that no one cares if they dressed as a hula girl on "beach day" when they are working on their senior thesis in college and applying to graduate school. So if you're feeling like you don't participate enough your senior year don't worry, it won't matter when you propose to the love of your life in a few years. Just have a little patience, high school will be over soon and your life will really start.
Signed,
A college freshman who doesn't regret one moment of not participating in high school.
