In words, it may not seem like much. But to any senior in high school, it feels as if it’s been a lifetime of stress, humor, growth, and most importantly, learning the way of life.
It all begins in pre-school. Your parents walk you to the door of a small building. Rainbows, suns, animals, all painted on the walls with little cubbies directly underneath. The perfect fit to hold your Disney-themed backpack full of snacks.
After a few temper tantrums or thoughts of joy, your parents get into their car without you. You end up making friends with a few of the other kids. You learn to listen to instructions, sing the classic “ABC’s”, and even learn how to write your name and scribble inside the lines for once.
It’s been a whole year now, and it’s time to step up a grade – Kindergarten. Instead of the usual coloring and playing with toys, you’re beginning to do schoolwork. Now, of course, it’s not anything like multiplication or even AP Statistics. But, you learn how to write legible words, read simple sentences, and wait to have fun during recess.
By elementary school, you’ve built a stable friend group, had your first sleepover, read your first novel, and now know your multiplication fast facts…hopefully. You’ve probably had your first argument with your BFF over who got which piece of the heart friendship necklace, or who had dibs on the best Pokémon in the pack.
In 5th grade, they prepare you for middle school – which they totally over-dramatize. They make it feel as if you’re about to go to college, or as if it’s a dystopian place. When, in reality, it’s very similar to elementary school.
There’s still coloring, multiplication, writing, arguments, friend groups, etc. In the next 3 years, you begin to find out who you are as a person. You figure out your likes and dislikes, whether that’s sexuality, style, or character traits. The drama also kicks in right about this time.
After 3 years of brain development, drama, gossip, and learning experiences…
Highschool. Walking in freshman year is the most nerve-racking experience you will ever overcome. There’s 18 year olds in the same classes as you, much more freedom , different expressions, and most importantly, experiences. It’s the first time you’ll see a group of kids in the bathroom asking,
“You got nic?” or “Wanna use my cart?”
Above anything at all, say no, no matter the amount of peer pressure from all the older kids. It’s not cool, and it’s a decision that will impact the rest of your life.
Sophomore year. This year is a time when personalities, friend groups, especially likes, and dislikes all transform into something different. Some friends may take that vape or substance, some may get into a relationship, which can completely change their personalities, and some may even become depressed or move away. This year is when you choose who you surround yourself with. Whether it’s cutting some long-time friends out or bringing new friends in.
Junior year: the year claimed as “Most difficult in your life.” It’s when you really begin to mature.
Going through Driver’s Ed to get your license. Taking the SATs for college. Having a Junior conference with a guidance counselor. Already planning out your entire life before it truly begins. In reality, you still have a whole year left.
Ah! Junior Jitters. Junior Jitters attacked me like a lion preying on a hyena. Waking up at the crack of dawn, going to work right after school, and still having to shower and complete homework at 10 p.m. Not to mention home life, people passing away, families arguing, and most importantly, depression and anxiety.
After the horrible year of those pesky Junior Jitters, it appears that you finally made it.
In reality, Senioritis kicks in real quick. Having classes like AP Statistics instead of competing on who knew their times tables better. Life is sneaking up on you without anyone realizing it. Breakups, whether romantic or friendship-wise, or often bombing a test here and there as well.
Applying to colleges determines where you’ll be for the rest of your life, or at least, a huge portion of it. You’re now seen as a grown-up, one of the 17-18-year-olds you had been so nervous about in your freshman year.
Senior year, basically already graduated, yet having to finish your last couple of credits. Senior sunrise, Senior skip day, Senior assassin, Senior prank day, all of it flies by. The next thing you know, it’s now May.
Twelve years, 4,646 days, 153 months, and what seemed like millions of hours and minutes. Now in front of the stage, names are being called, girls in white dresses and heels, boys in slacks and button-up shirts. The people you grew up with, all gathered together one last time. You shake a few hands, hug the teachers who impacted your life the most, and weep with the friends who went through such hardships with you.
One. Last. Time.
Principal Lizotte calls your name over the loudspeaker.
Snapping out of any ongoing thoughts, you stand up and walk across the stage with a well-earned diploma in your hand. Thinking to yourself,
“I finally did it!”
Looking behind your shoulder, staring at everyone for one last time. You get in your car and drive off to the next chapter of your life, for which each person is different.
