I can’t believe I’ve been in school for almost 13 years just to walk a stage, shake someone’s hand and receive a piece of paper in the mail. I still feel like kindergarten happened last week and I went through middle school yesterday. I remember sitting in my freshman year English class after band practice thinking to myself, “I have four years left. Senior year is so far away.”

I had high hopes for high school, especially in middle school. But my high school experience was nothing like it was hyped up to be in TV shows and movies. I used to feel like I was robbed of these past four years years, but when I look back and think about it, everything that should have happened did.

The workload wasn’t too much of a problem, although there were nights I was hating myself for procrastinating on assignments due the next day that I had weeks to work on. There were also times where I wished I could just drop out of high school and forget everything because I was so overwhelmed with tedious, pointless work that didn’t teach me anything. Nevertheless, I always seemed to get my assignments finished and scammed my way to good grades on everything I turned in. What was most stressful, at least for me, was the social part of high school.

Not trying to brag, but I only had one actual mental break down through high school. (Even though I feel like I’m constantly about to have one every time someone says ‘hi’ to me now.) I’ve always been pretty good at controlling my emotions, but looking back, I have no idea how I managed to only have one.

I started my high school years as a timid freshman scared to talk to the seniors in my trombone section. Sophomore year taught me how the lack of communication can destroy friendship from a simple misunderstanding. Junior year was insane because I was finally feeling the academic stress. Senior year is when I realized everything happens for a reason.

Shout out to the boy I thought was my friend. Thanks for teaching me how real friends should treat each other instead of using them. I also learned how cold hearted people can be. I can only wish you the best.

Shout out to the boy who taught me there’s only so much you can do to help someone. You shut me out along with many others, the ones you called your “best friends,” as we waited around for you to come back from your mood. It’s so frustrating because we both know we could’ve been really close. Regardless of the bad times we had, the few good ones were genuinely great. I only wish the best for you in the future.

Shout out to my friend who graduated early and is working her way to join the Army Reserves. I love how you always waited to hear both sides of every story before making your opinion so you could take everyone’s feelings into consideration first. Your kind heart and lovely personality made you the mother of our group and it’s something I will always remember and cherish.

Shout out to my best friend who helped me survive the crazy antics, betrayals and heartbreaks freshman year. No matter what anyone says, I will always love your loud ‘annoying’ laugh. I don’t know how I’ll be able to not see your amazing fashion sense every day and hear your weird stories that only really make sense to you. I deeply admire how willing you are to stand up for others and your strength. It’s funny how someone you’ve known since elementary school would grow up to be someone you can’t live without today. We survived all of the rumors, fake people and lies. Despite the hard times, I’ve never been more proud to call you one of my closest friends.

Shout out to the swimmer girl who broke every single school swim record her freshman year and stayed friends with me despite the rumors that surfaced around us. If there’s anyone who should have been having mental breakdowns every day, it should have been you with your beyond crazy daily schedule. But you always had everything together and did it all with a smile. I’m especially going to miss our weird conversations and your silly random comments and outbursts at the weirdest of times that never made sense but never failed to make me laugh.

Shout out to my best friend who graduated last year, my mentor through high school. You warned me about people and their intentions and what to look out for so I wouldn’t make the same ‘mistakes’ you did. Even now that you’re miles away, you’re still giving me life lessons about college and take the time to hangout when you’re back in town. I know we’re going to remain lifelong friends and I can’t thank you enough for looking out for me.

Shout out to the two girls who make newspaper so much fun with your crazy stories and over-the-top behaviors. To the one girl who I just met this year, I enjoy being around for your funny outbursts and love how real you are with everyone. And to the country girl who has been my friend since sixth grade, I really do think it was a sign we ended up in journalism together especially after the ‘fight’ when we were drifting away. It was God’s way of saying we were still meant to be friends even when we both almost lost hope. Your one-of-a-kind personality will always make me smile when remembering old times. You have always watched out for and taken care of me, even when I’m too stupid to do things for myself. I really hope you know it’s not gone under appreciated and I love you with all my heart.

Lastly shout out to my number one best friend since sixth grade. They say people are guaranteed to stay friends for life if they’re still friends after seven years. Every bump, every drop, every high, we’ve experienced together. So many things and so many people tried to tear us apart, but we simply laughed in their faces and gave them the finger. (Pinky finger to be exact.) I’m sitting here struggling to find the right words to describe how much you mean to me, but I know I don’t have to because you know exactly how I feel. And to make things better I won’t have to find those words for another four more years considering we’re going to the same college. I don’t have to say goodbye, but rather hello to the start of our new lives, adventures and drama that’s bound to come. Honestly anything could happen and I wouldn’t care because I know I’ll have you by my side to see it through.

College is probably the scariest thing to me at the moment (paying for it is stressful) and I don’t think I’ll ever be truly ready. I still feel like a child, not ready to take on adult actions, but it’s something I know I’ll face head on even if it feels like I’ll constantly be walking on edge. I’m also lucky to have a roommate who is already reaching out and excited to meet me.

Despite the lessons I learned through high school, if I really only learned one thing it would be: Life is unexpected. No matter what, you can never predict what’s coming around the corner. You’re always going to be walking on eggshells. So instead of hiding from it, face it head on.