One Last Time: What I’m Doing on the Last Day of School

This past weekend was prom, the week before that we were getting in our cap and gowns, and now the school year is officially over. Today is the very last day of school for seniors; we get out at 11:15 today, and won’t be looking back anytime soon. Of course, we come back for graduation on Friday, but it’s still the last time we’ll be here under the guise of learning. I’m actually sitting in English class as I write this, so you can imagine what the senior atmosphere is like today.

I know they say you’ll miss high school, and that it’s the best years of your life, and to a certain extent, I can believe that. But I also know that I aspire to greater things than receiving a diploma. I want to get out, see the world, and bring back amazing stories to share with people through my writing. I know I want to help people, to create some kind of good in the world. I suppose that when “they” say that high school constitutes the best years of your life, they’re referring to the fact that you don’t have to pay bills or rent, or worry about “adult” stuff. And I can completely identify with that. I understand how great we have it. But that doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to what comes next!

This year has been really amazing. I’ve learned a lot, both in school and out, and gained a lot of friends and even college experience (I take English over at the community college). But what I consider to be most important are the things I’ve learned about myself. I’ve learned how to be independent, how I work best, and how to cooperate with a team. This year marked the end of my term of office serving as Tennessee SkillsUSA state president, and that has taught me more about friendship than anything else ever has.

If you’re getting ready to graduate, I encourage you to make the best of your last day. Say goodbye to your friends and teachers, and have a great time. Don’t be afraid to get a little emotional, but at the same time, remember that you’re moving on to bigger and better things. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning on going to college, going to work, or doing something else altogether. You’re moving on; growing up.

Of course, you’ll never forget your high school career; after all, it’s probably been the most tumultuous four years of your life! So it’s important to take what you’ve learned there with you for the rest of your life. How to be yourself, how to work hard, how to be a good friend, how to skip class; all of those lessons are equally important! So look back on these days, not as the best days you’ve ever had, but as the best ones you’ve had so far. You’ve still got a long way to go; it ain’t over yet!