It became real when I received the senior check sheet. It wasn’t until I was checking away events I’ve paid for and permission slips I’ve turned in when I came to my realization that it’s really here.

The end is here and I’m presently sitting just more than a week out before graduation. It’s definitely getting real in the real world. High school has been a journey I have enjoyed.

It feels like just yesterday I was shaking my current best friends hand on the playground, introducing ourselves to one another. Or it was the first day of freshman year when I was going to a new school not knowing anyone. It all flew by so fast. It’s definitely a bittersweet moment.

Of course there were a couple bumps I had to overcome. Realizing who my real friends are was one of the biggest challenges. High school relationships are important because they test to see how strong you really are. I went from trying to do whatever I could do to save friendships to simply not really caring anymore, which was the best decision in the end.

I’ve gone through these years with a certain mindset. I didn’t allow anyone to interfere with what I had going on, which honestly saved me from a lot of things.

One aspect I’ve loved these past few years is the routines and consistencies in my everyday schedule. I become comfortable with what I had to adapt to, and I’m not a big fan of change so this was good.  

Through all my years of school, I’ve loved to dress up and look decent. I just enjoy looking my best and creating outfits for myself. Every once in awhile I get that “Who are you trying to impress” question and my response was always a quote I loved growing up: “Girls do not dress for boys.” It’s something I’ve had to tell myself and others for several years.

Growing up with my best friend has been one of the greatest parts of my life. I can’t really say we’re ending senior year together because she graduated early, but we will still be walking across that stage the same day. We’ve been friends since fifth grade and it’s been a journey ever since. It’s just the connection we have that comes along with a vibe that we share. I remember junior year when we would spend literally every day together, and I am so grateful to have someone like her in my life.

Saying goodbye is not going to be easy. The extended due dates and laid-back teachers is definitely something I will miss. College will be different and interesting.

I would say the summer going into senior year and this school year have been the best experiences of high school. The adventures I went on with my friends are just memories I can not forget. I’ve also gained more friends this year who really warm my heart and I have a lot in common with.

I’m wildly excited about life after high school. Newspaper class has slightly helped me due to the fact that I am majoring in communications and journalism. My all-time dream is to become a talk show host, but I am aware that is a hard job to come by so I would even settle for being a news reporter.