It has come to my attention that I have less than 14 days of high school left. And that’s scary. Really scary. It seems that I have been in this place my entire life. Issues that once seemed so important (Like finding a prom date or choosing an AP class) only permeate a small area of interest, and the real world seems like a far, ambiguous place for me. In a number of days I will make the biggest transition of my life. I will soon become an adult, and the people that have been by my side for years may soon only be traceable through memories, photos, and their updates on Facebook. The real world is around the corner, one that includes independence, responsibility, and uncertainty, giving me quite a lot to think about. I’ve thought about all of the good, and I have toiled over all of the bad, and I can say that I only have two simple pieces of advice to shed onto anyone who happens to be reading this right now.
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- You are more than just a number.
I know it seems nearly impossible to comprehend this statement after being drilled for years that your identity is pretty much a formulaic accumulation of SAT scores and GPAs, but try to listen to me when I say this. Your success in life is not definable by a short list of numbers on a page. Before this year, I used to consider intelligence the reigning hierarchy at Mira Costa. It seemed like there was an unspoken ranking between those who took AP classes, led clubs, spent sleepless nights studying, and filled up their days with extracurriculars. I seemed to somewhat fall into this category, and I always felt like there was something missing in my life because of it. This year I learned that we define ourselves, and we should stray from fitting a mold of what we esteem to be acceptable. I finally understand that these numbers that weigh on our shoulders so heavily don’t do us justice, and I thank myself everyday for finally getting it.
2. The memories matter
If you happen to be friends with me, you know that I am incredibly nostalgic. I can spend hours looking through old photos, I can recall memories in an instant, and I never hesitate to remind my friends about the connections we once had. People make fun of me for it, but I’ve learned to embrace my nostalgic bug. Some think that it makes you stuck in the past, but memories do the opposite for me. Memories make me ecstatic about the present, especially when I am with the people who I’ve shared so many of them with. It reminds me to be thankful for the experiences that I’ve had, not letting me take it for granted.
High school is ultimately finite, and it rapidly coming to an end. But, as I look back at my four years, I am incredibly blessed for the lessons I’ve learned and connections I have built, and I hope that everyone reading this will experience the same. Thank you to everyone who helped make my high school years challenging, stressful, but a hell of a ride. I hope that you can take what I’ve learned to heart and make your four years as memorable as mine.
