A Letter to Freshman From a Second Semester Senior

Dear Freshman,

Welcome to high school (spoiler: it's not like High School Musical. At least not at my school). You’ll be here for the next four years of your life and I know that that seems like such a long time right now, but trust me, that time is going to fly by. People don’t joke when they tell you not to blink. It really will fly by. 

While it might not seem like it at first, high school is so much fun and you will make hundreds of memories. You are going to have fun, trust me. You will make new friends and during your four years here you’ll realize who your true friends are. People are going to come in and out of your life and while it might be hard at first to see someone walk out of your life, in the end, you’ll be able to see how it made you a better person. 

Odds are, at some point, you’re going to look at the seniors and you'll wish that you were in their shoes. You’ll wish that you were gearing up for graduation and getting ready to go out into the real world. As someone who had senioritis freshman year, I know that feeling. All you want is to be done. But trust me, you’re going to miss this. 

As a freshman, I never imagined I would be saying this but you're going to miss high school. Before you know it you're going to be preparing to head off to college and as exciting as that seems, it's also scary. You're potentially packing up 18 years of your life and moving someplace new where you'll be on your own. As 14 and 15-year-olds, that can seem so extremely exciting, which it is, but if you race through high school, you're going to miss out on a lot. So from a second-semester senior, here's what I have to say about the next four years. 

Go to all the Friday night football games you can attend. Stand in the student section and cheer for your team as loud as you can. Participate in spirit week, I know it's silly to dress up in planned outfits but it's so fun to laugh with your friends at each other's silly outfits. Go to homecoming. Whether you have a date or not, go to homecoming. Get all dressed up and take pictures with your friends. Dance your heart out on the dance floor, who cares if everyone isn't dancing, if you're having fun that's all that matters. Hang out with your friends on the weekend, Netflix will still be around afterward. Get involved in school. Whether it be sports or clubs, find something you enjoy and get involved with it! Don't do everything just to have something to add to your college applications, do what is interesting to you. 

Don't think that just because college is 3 years away means that you can't start thinking about it. It's never too early to start thinking about your future. Keep your grades up. I know some people think that freshman grades don't matter, but trust me, they do. Big time. If your struggling in a class, ask for help. Meet with your teacher after class, they're there to help you. 

Take lots of pictures. You'll want to look back on them later on in life. Don't take for granted the familiarity of your hometown, either. In a few short years, you'll be getting ready to say goodbye.

In short, high school is a blast and the memories you'll make during these four years will be memories that last a lifetime. Take each day as it comes and enjoy the little things. Before you know it, you'll be walking across that stage in your cap and gown and you'll be done. Enjoy it while it lasts. 

From,

a second-semester senior