As a recent graduate, it's weird to say; but I could not be more relieved to be out of high school. It's not to say that I didn't enjoy myself because I did. I had a great time with my friends, but I'm more than ready to move on and take on life.

1. One-sided friendships

We all have those friendships where we put more in than we get out. You see those people every single day, so you never truly know how fake or one-sided the friendship is. But once you graduate, you will realize who your true friends are and you’ll be glad to have them by your side.

2. Drama

With high school, comes the drama. There will always be something going on. Whether it’s people starting rumors, or just getting in fights over petty little things, the drama never ends. Thankfully, once you leave, you can take a deep breath and move on from the arguments.

3. Caring about what others think of you

When you’re only 16 years old, you are growing and maturing into your own person, and with that comes wondering what others may think of you. But over time, it becomes easier to deal with, especially once you are able to move on from high school.

4. New people

All throughout school, you were surrounded by the same kids every day for most of your life. Although I have made some of the best friends I could have ever asked for, I am so excited to be able to make new friends and meet new people from all walks of life. Meeting new people with different experiences than you is extremely refreshing.

5. Being whoever you want to be

Once you go off to a whole new place with people and experiences you’ve never had, you can be whoever you want to be. You can create all new journeys for yourself. If you were the quiet kid in high school, that’s how everybody knew you. But once you’re at college, you can decide you don’t want to be that person anymore.

I know maybe one day I’ll look back and miss the little moments and memories, but for now, I’m ecstatic to be done with this chapter of my life. There is so much waiting for me, so many unknowns and journeys I have yet to face, and I could not be more happy about that.