As your high school experience comes to an end, you’re probably frantically trying to piece together where your next chapter begins. It’s nerve wracking, it’s frightening, and it’s probably one of the biggest decisions you’ve ever made in life. While it’s important to focus on where you’re going next, don’t get distracted and forget to enjoy the moments you are in.
Senior year brings together many memorable experiences that shouldn’t be missed or distracted from including Homecoming Week, Prom, and especially Graduation. You may have seen the same faces for the last four years, some even since middle school or elementary, so spending more time together during high school traditions may seem repetitious, but truly it’s very important to stay connected.
These are some of the moments you will remember throughout your lifetime- and might even be a reason to spark up conversation during your 10 year reunion! Unlike the strict energy of school, during these moments you get to unwind, have fun, and will truly get to know one another. You might think you know everything about everyone you pass in the hallway, but you don’t, and by taking advantage of these traditions, you might even make a new friend that you thought you knew all along.
Homecoming week starts off the reality that most of these familiar faces will merely be memories after a few short months. It’s important to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with one another and see how many acquaintances you can make friends before the upcoming year is over. The more you connect with people, the more life experience you add to your resume, and that is worth more than staying silent in your comfort zone.
Prom is another experience that shouldn’t be missed. There’s too many reasons not to go, but the bottom line is this is the last round of fun you have with the students in your class. Even if you go to be a wall flower, you made the effort to make an appearance and experience what the hype is all about. When you are 40, you won’t be regretting “that one time you went to prom.” Instead, you might be giving your own kid a pep talk about why it was one of the best nights of your life because an unforgettable speech was given or your high school crush asked you to dance.
Graduation is definitely the top tradition not to miss out on. It’s not just a walk across a stage for your family and friends, it’s for you. It’s a confident strut to confirm the hard work and obstacles you have overcome as a young adult. It’s a walk to start the beginning of your transition to adulthood. It’s a moment to congratulate yourself for all that you’ve done and that you do. Take it and run with it, not literally, but figuratively. Decorate your cap, perfect your walk, even your wave, and be proud of everything you have done to get on that stage and accept your diploma. It’s your moment to shine.
After your high school traditions are over, you will be looking back on your memories over many years. You’ll remember how sweet and simple life seemed before you stepped into the fast pace of the world, grateful to have traditional high school memories to share with friends and family.
Contributed by Barbara Beran
