A Letter to Incoming Seniors

Dear senior class,

Welcome to the beginning of the end. For some of you, you've waited for your first last day of high school before you even started freshman year. For others, the nostalgia is already starting to set in and you can't stop reminiscing no matter how hard you try. You're finally true upperclassmen, walking around like you own the halls and, in the case of the high school I graduated from, ditching your worn out uniforms for normal clothes. I could have started this post by saying, "Hey! You've made it!" but then I would have been telling you only what you wanted to hear when, in reality, there's still so much to be done.

I'm sure all of you have a dream college in mind that you'd love to attend next fall, and hopefully you've been working towards being accepted there all throughout your academic career. But if you haven't, then it's okay. There's still time left. Take time during your first semester to focus on your grades. Invest in a Keurig, watch those Sparknotes summary videos, and make endless amounts of flashcards. Achieving good grades first semester will help you transition into second semester and cushion the blow when senioritis starts striking. Because it will strike and at least if you're prepared for it, then it won't do as much damage as it's capable of.

Also, don't forget to join clubs! Not only are they a way to make new friends but colleges also love to see that you like getting involved in campus life. If you're like me and didn't work during high school, then clubs and volunteer work are great things to add to your resume if and when you decide to apply for your first job.

I know you've heard it a million times and you're probably sick of it, but it really is a necessary statement to make: do your homework! A lot of assignments are credit/no credit and just doing them and making sure they're in on time can transform your C into a B or even higher. Life is unpredictable and can throw things at us that we can't control. You know what you can control? Yourself. Do not sabotage yourself.

When you aren't doing homework or studying, hang out with your friends as much as possible. No, seriously. Go to football games, but don't just go to football games. Go to volleyball games and basketball games and, heck, even go to golf matches (No, really. Nobody goes to golf matches and it's really sad. Show them some support.). I don't regret much but one thing I wish I did was go to more sporting events. They're really fun and the teams appreciate it when people turn out to watch them. Go to lunch with your friends or, if you can't go out, have a pizza delivered to campus. Have fun at fairs and pumpkin patches and dances because one day you're going to graduate and friends, even ones you thought would never leave your side, will stop hanging out with you or move away.

Take advantage of every moment you have with your classmates and talk to everyone, even the people you think are "too cool" for you or not "cool" enough. I made friends with people during the last two weeks of school who I should have been friends with ages ago. Don't let fear stop you from branching out of your social circle and don't let people's appearances cause you to make quick and unfair judgements. Like Atticus Finch says in To Kill a Mockingbird, "Most people are [nice] when you finally see them."

This year will be filled with laughter, tears, and anxiety, but, most importantly, this year will be filled with memories. And when all of your lockers are cleaned out for the last time and you're walking across that stage to get your diploma that's all that you'll have left. Wonderful memories that you've shared with unforgettable people. Ones that will last a lifetime. So, go out there and seize the day, seniors. It's going to be one wild ride.

Love always,

Sasha

#senioryear #highschool