As I grew up, I never thought much about my senior year. I always looked up to the older kids, and now I find myself in their position. High school was always intimidating to me because I knew that’s when things would change the most, and they did. The changes from freshman year to now have been significant and surprising.
I’ve learned a lot during my time here. It’s important to be respectful to all your teachers, to be kind and helpful when no one is watching, and not to worry about what others think. When people say high school flies by, they really mean it. I’ve always wanted to savor every moment, even the early classes and late nights, because I know I will miss it when it’s over. At some point, I believe everyone will miss something about high school, whether it’s friends, a class you enjoyed, or a favorite teacher.
Over the last three years, I’ve heard many students, including myself, express a desire to go home or be done with school. I used to think we would feel different after graduation, and now I realize we truly will miss it once it’s over. Senior year is indeed bittersweet. It marks all of your lasts: your last homecoming, last football game, last sports season, last prom, senior sunrise, and senior sunset.
It’s such a strange feeling being a senior because it all feels like it’s coming to an end. Many people take their high school years for granted, yet it can be one of the best times of your life, depending on how you choose to make it. Throughout my years at Pasco High, I’ve both loved and hated it simultaneously. I know that many others have similar thoughts. The reality is that you may not have the same friends you had in freshman year; people grow apart and go their own ways. You won’t always have the same favorite teachers, and sometimes there will be drama, but that’s part of high school.
As bad as people make school seem, it’s not that terrible. Sure, there are tougher days than others, but all you really need is one friend, one teacher, or one parent to help you through it all. Regardless of how things seem, there is someone out there cheering for you. Senior year has crept up on me so fast; I remember everything from freshman year like it was yesterday. Even with the challenging days, there have been so many good ones, too.
If I could offer advice to younger classmates, I would say: be yourself, don’t stress over things you can’t control, take care of yourself, and trust the process. Everyone’s high school experience is different, so make yours the best it can be. Create as many memories as possible, and don’t take things too seriously.
