To the Class of 2017:

Holy crap! You guys are seniors next year, and that’s big–go you! Next year is going to be stressful and fun and blurry. It’s going to feel like times moving 10 miles per hour one second, and then moving 110 miles per hour  the next. This is my letter to you guys, my guide on how to survive until graduation.

Summer

In the summer before school starts, when you’re taking grad pics, or school shopping with your parents, take a second to realize that, yes, you graduate this year, but your mom’s baby girl or boy is also graduating and is on their way to college. Take a second for them, let them tell you how to pose in some pictures, or pick you out an outfit, let them baby you and coddle you. Let them make you breakfast and tuck you in at night. This is a big step in your life, but also remember that it’s a huge step for your parents too; they’re losing a child, but at the same time gaining an adult. Let them cry at graduation, or during athletic senior nights. In between pictures with your friends, take one with mom and dad–it’s worth the smile on their faces.

College Prep

Start filling out college applications during the summer. Get a head start on looking past graduation to get one more thing out of the way. Visit college campuses to see what you like or what you don’t. Take a road trip with mom and eat gas station food as you drive. Spend time with your family and prepare for what comes next.

Take advantage of all the AP and CIS classes Apple Valley has to offer. It’s a great way to prepare yourself for college and push yourself to do your best. The best case scenario is a free college credit, the worst, failing a class…which is pretty hard to do.

Social life

Football games: go to them, or at least one; the feeling of cheering on the Eagles with your friends is amazing. Take pictures, Instagram and Snapchat the hell out of it– because when you go back and look at them, in the ridiculous spirit wear, the smile that creeps onto your face is worth it in the end.

Homecoming

It’s a place to dance like no one’s watching (no one is–the lights are off) and to spend good quality time with friends. Go to dinner, eat food and laugh. Even if you don’t want to go to the dance–go. You can always leave early if you aren’t having a good time, but I promise you if you miss out on homecoming, you’ll regret it.

Get involved

Go to the theater production or basketball game or the band concert. Support your friends and buy them flowers, showing them how much they mean to you. Remember that in only a couple months you may never see them again. Get out of the house and do something.

Homework

Keep up with homework. I can honestly say that the worst thing is getting back caught up. Sure, reading the chapter summaries of the AP macro book sounds like it will work, but it won’t. Take the time and read and do your math homework and take notes; it lessens the stress.

Friends

Meet new people. Make new friends. Learn more about who you are and get involved with people that share similar interests.  Hang out with the foreign exchange students, ask the new girl to sit with you at lunch. Senior year is the year that you will find out the difference between fake friends and real friends. It’s the year that you get close to some of the most important people in your life.

Prom

Go to it. Enough said.

Drama

Don’t get caught up in the drama. Trust and confide in your true friends. People will lie to you, they will backstab you and start rumors. They’ll leave. But here’s the good news–you’re worse off having those toxic people in your life, and you deserve more. Meet new people, do new things. Always be nice and kind. Don’t let what hurts you break you.