Senior year is one big pot of conflicting emotions. It’s the end of an era, a transition in about every possible aspect of one’s being, and the start of a new life all in a nine month span. We come into senior year excited about the only school year we would probably ever categorize as “fun” and we leave our senior year wishing we could rewind. It gets confusing, because we simultaneously look forward to our future and refuse to let our past go. We say things like “I can’t wait to graduate” when we really don’t mean it, because as soon as we throw our caps we’ll regret saying that about a hundred times.

A senior myself, I can personally say that I’m having the time of my life. Senior year really is unlike any other school year. We’re on the top of the world, we finally rule the school, and we couldn’t be happier to be either of those things. But I see too much anticipation of graduation (I’m guilty of this as well). I can understand it–we’re almost adults and teachers still treat us like children; we’ve been stuck in a structured school day since Kindergarten; and worst of all, we’re all starting to feel that “senior slide” kick in. I get it, we’re sick of the same old, same old. Wishing it was over isn’t the answer though. My advice is to enjoy this year as much as possible. We only have one left, and although high school might be getting old, what you’ll treasure more when you’re getting old is the memories you made your senior year.

I think this speaks to a more general problem. We all look forward to our futures without living in the now. We look forward to college or our new jobs but neglect what’s really important: living for this moment. We have our whole life to work, but we only have a couple more months to enjoy our childhood. If you choose to be so caught up in your future that you find yourself neglecting the wonderful and amazing thing that is youth, then I strongly suggest that you change your viewpoint. You only have eighteen years to live a life free of serious responsibilities and age-related drawbacks. Don’t let that go. And certainly don’t allow your four years of awesome, memory-packed high school days to slip from your fingers, because I can assure you that you’ll regret it.