It is the last day of April, meaning May is tomorrow, and graduation is approaching. As a senior, this moment could not have come any sooner, but it still snuck up on me. In my four years, I have been taught many lessons, including differential equations, rhetorical strategies, and mitosis, but there is a truth to growing up that can be taught, but only learned. Here, I share some advice and truth with you, underclassmen and upcoming seniors.
- Do your school work ahead of time.
I am the master at procrastination and doing my work late. It has worked for me so far, but I have faced circumstances where my grade reflected my choices. Do your work as soon as you get it. School gets busy, especially in senior year. Once you have a free moment, use it to be productive. - Do your college work early.
Write your college essays during the summer. Work on your resumes as soon as possible. Apply to any school as soon as you can. That includes: Scholarships, housing, orientation, honors colleges, etc. I did all my things leisurely as time went and it is not what I recommend doing at all. The early bird gets the worm. - Friends will fight.
There have been many times in my friend group where we have had miscommunications and annoyances. That is normal. With friends so close and so old, there is bound to be a moment of tension. In my experience, communication is the answer to everything. Own up to your mistakes and don’t hold others to high expectations. Realize that you’re about to go your separate ways and that no argument is worth losing a friend over. Friends are chosen family. - Get involved.
Truly, I am aware of how often this phrase is stressed, but I will stress it again. Don’t get involved with the intention of it being a resume builder or a graduation cord. Instead, get involved because it bonds you with other people, feeds back to the community, and is a great experience. Truthfully, some colleges don’t care how involved you are. Some may see it as a plus, but I can reassure you, I being a gridiron girl for a year or being in the yearbook was not a make-or-break point for me getting accepted into the University of Mississippi. Getting involved can be a resume builder, but don’t let that be your only motivator. I joined these organizations because I wanted to and because it was fun. - High School doesn’t mean anything.
Granted, I still am a high school student at least until the 24th of May, but this is true. When I talk to friends who have graduated before, all they tell me is how fun college is and how little High school mattered. Your test scores don’t matter, your scholarships don’t matter, being on the student council does not matter, nor does being a quiet kid or a prom queen. In college, the students there are adults with their own lives to figure out. You get to choose your way in college and start new. - Quit comparing yourself to others.
This is something I still struggle with and see myself struggling with it even outside of school. It is so easy to compare someone’s grade, success, pants size, and home life to your own. In all honesty, nothing is worth comparing. These people have their own problems and are comparing themselves to other people, too. Quit caring what people think of you, you are meant to go on your path, and they are meant to go on their own. - It is okay to be confused.
My junior year, I was so excited to go to Ole Miss, but as senior year came by, I dreaded that I would end up there. I didn’t officially decide to go to Ole Miss until a month or two ago, but I don’t think it’s going to be as awful as I imagined it. It is normal to be confused and not know where you are going or what you are majoring in. I have friends who have known they were going into dentistry since middle school, and I only decided on my major this past fall. And in all honesty, I still am not sure what my future holds for me. This is normal. Any parent, teacher, or alumnus will tell you that it is okay not to know what you’re going to do. You will figure it out; don’t be afraid of not knowing. - Take those classes.
I know you would like an easy senior year or just an easy high school experience, but do not be afraid to take those hard classes. Take the AP classes that seem absurd or those Dual Credit classes with the character teachers. You might end up liking them more than you think. Knowledge is power. I have a friend who didn’t look forward to taking AP United States Government, but now she is going into political science. Take those classes. - Senior year goes by fast.
Last football game, homecoming, show, pep rally, prom, and class. Senior year is a year of “lasts.” Enjoy every second. Go out with your friends, don’t stay in. You may never see these people again. Enjoy being young and being with your friends. Savor every second. - Don’t get embarrassed.
This is a truth I live by. Who cares if so-and-so thinks you’re loud or annoying? That is his problem. Be yourself, do not shy away from expressing yourself because of the fear that others won’t like it. Don’t dim your light. Now, I am not telling you to be a public disruption, but don’t be a meek mouse either. Be true to yourself. Everyone is weird. Pick which weird you are.
Enjoy these four years while you have them. These are the good years, but remember, you have the rest of your life. Don’t let high school be “the good old days.” Live in the moment, you are just getting started.
