Senior year is full of goodbyes. Fall semester comes and goes, followed by a speedy spring. Athletes play their hardest on fields that they love, actors perform their final show on the stage that they have called home for the last four years, and all those small goodbyes that didn’t seem to matter all that much in the moment begin to add up. Now, I am sitting in my room, wondering where all the time has gone and trying to figure out how on earth I’m going to say the biggest goodbye of all. In this search for a perfect farewell, I have come to the realization that I won’t ever truly know, because how could you know how to say goodbye to something that has yet to happen? What I do know for certain is that these past four years have flown by, and that within the jumble of each month and year that passed, I learned a thing or two. So, here is a letter to each grade on a few things that I learned along the way, because who could pass up an opportunity to spread my limitless senior wisdom that I’ve acquired.

To the freshmen,

Get involved! I know that everyone tells you to do this: “Join sports,” “Join clubs,” “Don’t be afraid to try new things.” It is overwhelming when everyone is telling you what to do when you are about to enter into the scary jungle of high school, but before ignoring those little quips, consider putting yourself out there. Whether it’s a sport or a club, joining something can grant you with friends that you will have all through high school, maybe even for life. Or, you hate it, and quit… is that so bad? Something even more important is being true to yourself, the transition from middle school to high school is scary, and it is a time that you will lose friends, gain friends, and begin to find yourself. You are no longer a middle schooler, but a high schooler, on your way to becoming an adult. Leave the drama behind, focus on yourself, your grades, the friends that really care, and high school might just look a little bit like High School Musical (minus the jumping on tables and breaking out in song in the middle of the cafeteria).

To the sophomores,

Ok, you are no longer a freshman, so it’s time to start taking things a little more seriously. Sign up for harder classes that will challenge you, I can tell you from personal experience that it does make a difference. I breezed through my freshman and sophomore years with the easiest classes, avoiding anything remotely challenging because, hey, nobody actually cares how well you do your first two years of high school, right? No, that is wrong, that is why you cannot be like me and choose the lazy route, avoiding the challenge of taking those difficult honors, advanced, and AP classes. Doing this will also allow you to explore different subjects, open your eyes to classes that you wouldn’t have taken before, and, who knows, maybe you’ll find your passion in a science classroom and become the next Albert Einstein! This is the perfect time to begin to find where you fit academically, socially, and personally. You’ve got time before you have to decide what you want to do with your life, but, as Benjamin Franklin said, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Four years feels like forever, and maybe for some, it really is, but trust me, before you know it, you’ll be walking across that stage, receiving your diploma.

To the juniors,

Try, and I mean really, really try to make time for your life outside of school. I don’t know about anyone else, but junior year was hard. Going from two relatively easy and simple years to junior year was a giant slap in the face. Classes were harder, there was way more pressure on your grades, you have to study for the SATs and ACTs, and it is the first year that you start to really think about college, and maybe even begin the application process. Pile on top of all of this the many clubs that people are a part of, extracurriculars outside of school, participation in activities like theater, and playing any sort of sports. It becomes stressful and overwhelming, which is why it is so important to find time for yourself and focus on things outside of school. And, get ready, because after I just told you to find time for yourself outside of school, I am going to tell you to try to start your college search (which is the opposite of finding time for yourself, but you’ll thank me during application season next year). It doesn’t have to be crazy. Remember, most people are not applying to schools yet, but this is the ideal time to start looking. Find schools that you like, narrow down on one major, or decide if you want to go in undecided; doing this will make your senior year just a little bit easier!

To the incoming seniors,

Nobody really prepared me for how stressful senior year actually was. Everyone always talks about how easy it is, how it is a piece of cake and stress-free. But, when I tell you I was stressed, I was stressed. Between heavy work-loads, extracurriculars, and college applications, it’s not easy. Even for those that choose a more light schedule, with less classes, it is still an extremely difficult year, I mean, you’re making a life-altering decision of what college you want to go to for the next four years, that is no small task. You’re also saying goodbye to your family and the friends that raised you, packing up your life, and leaving your hometown to live somewhere where you know almost no one. It’s scary to say the least. But, despite the stress and mixed emotions, it is the year that will go the fastest because it is the year that you will have to say goodbye. So, cherish it, because as excited as you will be to graduate, once that fateful day arrives, you’ll realize that it’s really over, and that a bittersweet goodbye is right around the corner.

And finally to the class of 2025,

Though we still only have a few weeks or so left, most of us are already checked out mentally and coming to the realization that graduation is soon. Some of us have committed to a school (yahhh, congratulations!!), some of us are on our way to committing to a school, and some of us are taking a year off to travel, work, figure things out, save money, or become the next famous TikToker. Whatever your case may be, we are all headed towards that same day that seems to be getting closer and closer: graduation. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am feeling a mix of emotions: excitement, fear, happiness, and dread. Senior year is full of goodbyes, full of “lasts.” But, now that it is almost here, and the last semester is nearing its bitter end, it is all actually starting to become real. Memories from freshman year don’t seem as close, and the future no longer seems as far. High school is what you make of it…and so is life. So cherish the memories and the friends you made along the way, because when it comes time to leave and walk down these halls one last time, those are the things that we’ll take with us.