They say high school is a time you’ll never forget, no matter what happens — and now, at the end of it all, I understand why. As I get ready to walk the hallways for the very last time, I can’t help but reflect on this long 4-year journey that has shaped me into the young woman I am today. I started high school late, with little to no friends and great anxiety – not knowing what to expect or what would come which is always terrifying. I decided from the very beginning of high school to become the person I’ve always wanted to be. Someone that others thought to be confident, intelligent, secure, and most importantly, compassionate.
I inevitably struggled over the years differentiating classroom friends and friends I could carry with me throughout life. Over the years, which seemed long and eventful at the time, I found my people. My friends who became family, whose family accepts me as their own, teachers I could turn to when I needed a hug or comfort and classmates who made school much easier in times I wanted to give up. I’ve made many friends throughout the years and built strong bonds with them which I will always be grateful for.
At the beginning of high school, life was much more simplistic and easy to follow a routine. I’d go to school, talk to friends and go home right after, leaving many hours open to socialize even more. With that simplistic routine came struggles in love and identity. I often questioned who I was and who I wanted to be as a person, along with the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with and be with.
By 11th grade, I had joined many clubs and was now well into my second year of tennis. My personality changed a lot since freshman year, for better or for worse (up to interpretation!). I struggled more than ever figuring out what I wanted to be in life, different career paths all while balancing friendships, relationships, work, and my family life. I never believed in the saying “high school goes by quickly” until I experienced it myself.
Now, I’m eighteen years old and school ends in a few days which leaves me confused and lost. I was used to this comfortable, familiar life and in a few months, I’ll be going off to college many miles away and leaving this life behind. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for this dramatic change until it happens and that scares me. I’ll miss the comfort of my routine – waking up every day (yes. every day) to go to school or work at 8 A.M. and struggling to get work done which is an odd feeling.
With graduation near, I feel a mix of nostalgia and excitement, often reflecting on the past. I know that everything will be fine and I’m accepting that everyone has to grow up someday. Life continues after this and I’ll always appreciate the friends and memories I’ve made along the way. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and I can’t wait to see the amazing person I’m blossoming into and the great things I’ll accomplish!
