The End of an Era

Dear High School,

A period of time in life where I grew a lot and formed into the person I am today.

Freshman year - now a blur, the memories rush in and out

The first time I had a choice in the classes I was taking.

The first time I had an ability to get involved in school groups.

The first time college was first mentioned by counselors.

The first time I had a glimpse at my future ahead.

Sophomore year – one of the easier years in high school

The first year is done with and the beginning anxieties are over with.

The halls are filled with familiar faces

College seems to be far off in the future.

Classes are important, but they do not seem to make or break it.

By the end of the year, I felt myself bracing for the impact of junior year.

Junior year - known as the year of stress, colleges and GPAs are swirling around.

The future is near and dear.

College is the only thing people have on their minds as they fight to get in.

Time is spent studying for the SAT and ACT.

Homework takes priority over all else.

Lack of sleep is a real thing.

Senior Year - I grasped on to the memories I had developed throughout the years.

The last SAT and ACT scores were received.

The last college application was submitted.

The last high school football game was attended under the Friday night lights.

The last school dances were attended.

The last AP exams were taken.

The last classes were attended.

The last bell rang to dismiss class.

One last glimpse at the times had before looking ahead to the future.

After senior year – the anxiety of leaving home sets in.

It never truly hits that one will be picking a college and leaving home until now.

New friends will have to be made and new classes picked.

I will live with a roommate for the first time.

I will not be a car ride away from my family.

I will not be sleeping in my own bed.

All of these are anxieties that plagued me before moving into Auburn University.

Today – I am in my second semester at Auburn University.

Homesickness plagued in the beginning, but now Auburn is home.

I find myself surrounded by friendly faces again around campus.

Adena, my freshman year roommate, is one of my best friends.

I am not close to my biological family, but I am surrounded by my Auburn family at school.

My bed in my dorm room has become my bed.

While I still miss home, I have found a second home.

So high school,

Thank you for preparing me for life.

Thank you for giving me lifelong friends.

But most importantly,

Thank you for kicking me out into real life.

Sincerely,

A Former Student.