Dear Soon-To-Be Senior,

So, this is it. You’re only days away from what will feel like the longest shortest year of your life… if you’re anything like I was this time last year, you probably feel like you’re not quite old enough for this, yet at the same time you’re so ready to be done. Conflicting isn’t it?!

At this point, you may have already taken senior pictures and begun to look at colleges. Or maybe you haven’t done any of that; maybe you’re holding out on this whole “growing up” thing… clinging to your last stress-free days of few decisions to be made and lots of memories to hold to. The truth of it though, is no matter how you feel about these upcoming months and this next year of your life, the one thing you all have in common is that it’s coming – ready or not. 

So take it from me, this year of your life will be exhilarating, terrifying, stressful, sentimental, tiresome, amazing, and so much more all wrapped into 180 days.

Before you begin this journey… There are a few things I want you to remember and maybe they’ll  get you one step closer to making this year everything you’ve hoped it’ll be…

Don’t take tradition for granted

Football games, pep-rallies, homecoming dances, senior skip days, prom, everything. Don’t take these things for granted because as “silly” or “mainstream” or “lame” as you may think they seem, you’ll never do them again. You’ll never chant from the student section of your alma mater or go to a formal dance with 400 of your closest friends ever again. As much as high school has seemed to drag on forever, in reality it isn’t forever and before you know it, everything that’s become so routine will soon be over… so don’t take it for granted.

As “done” as you say you are, you aren’t really “done” until you walk across that stage

Yes, yes I know. In just a few weeks you will be “so done.” But you have 180 schools days before that is truly the case. Okay, yeah, grades only count this first semester, but in reality, everything you do matter until you are actually, literally done. So no matter how done you feel, work hard all year. Make new friends all year. Take in as much life and wisdom and joy and excitement as you can all year because if you wish this year away, someday you’ll be wishing to have it all back.

These are not the best years of your life

WHAT? These four years aren’t going to be the best of your life?? Yes… believe it or not, life between the ages 14-18 is not your prime. Are you shocked? No? Good.

You have so much to look forward to after graduation day. If high school hasn’t been everything it’s cracked up to be for you or maybe even if it’s been kind of miserable, take heart knowing that is is so not all that life has to offer you. All it is is four years of a life-long journey; don’t let it get the best of you. Don’t succumb to pressures of what is “cool” because newsflash: when you graduate, literally no one cares about what was cool in high school. No one. So don’t be afraid to be your own person, say what you think, do what you feel is right, say no to things you disagree with, and enjoy the things you love because as “wrong” as being different may feel right now… it’s what will allow you to stand out so wonderfully in the years to come.

Stress when it’s appropriate // Have lots of fun

There will be time for everything. Time for work and time for play… don’t mix the two up. Work hard when you have stuff to do and live a little when you don’t. Don’t wait until December to realize that you’ve spent all of your time going to parties and being “so done” and now you’ve got just a few months to make all of your decisions. You really can make this year the best of both worlds, just remember that hard work is so not overrated. There are few better feelings than graduation with honors or getting accepted to your dream school or increasing your ACT score or just seeing the pride in the eyes of the people who love you when they see you being successful.

So have fun this year, take advantage of all the opportunities you’re given, but don’t forget that once the fun is over, it’s time for real life and that will definitely require some hard work.

 This is such an exciting time of your life!! So get excited. There are so many changes and opportunities and experiences you’ll have in this next year that will be unlike anything you’ll ever do again. So make this the best year yet, look forward to the future, don’t wish it away, and do your best. You’re gonna do great!!

Praying for the Class of 2017 and everything you hope to do!!

With love and excitement,

Samantha Reynolds – class of 2015