Much of high school has felt like running through each year at an all out sprint. Whether it be advanced classes, extracurriculars, sports, jobs or any of the other events that characterize the teenage experience, our class has raced to make up for a lost freshman year.
Unfortunately, the reality of sprinting through a long distance race is that running out of energy is inevitable. As we reach the finish line, we are running the final stretch with the weight of exhaustion and burnout.
As tired as we may be, the glimpse into the future of graduation provides that second wind seniors need to make it to the end. With all of the accomplishments the senior class takes with them, it will be no small feat to have crossed the finish line.
The senior class has accomplished many things from state titles to community service. The senior class is undeniably involved in our school and community, and that involvement should continue wherever we may end up. However, as we transition into the real world, we’ll have to balance our accomplishments with our own well being.
Many seniors have sacrificed their well being for their accomplishments. Pulling all-nighters to study for a test and waking up early to finish an assignment became routine for many with every waking hour dedicated to something school related. That kind of schedule isn’t sustainable. We will need to find time to take care of not just our bodies, but also our mind. We need to do things outside of school or work.
When we leave high school, we explore who we are as independent adults with friends, jobs and hobbies. Finding a balance between fulfilling involvement and taking time to figure out our own needs will be critical for making it through the next stages of our lives.
The way we’ve gone through high school won’t be sustainable once we leave. We’ll face all new challenges and many of them we’ll have to face on our own.
Luckily, our class isn’t a stranger to life-changing events. We’ve gone through global disasters and faced the uncertainty of financial aid, not to mention the firsts of driving, relationships, failures and successes.
The COVID-19 pandemic launched our lives into chaos, and for many of us, the dust still has not settled. As we move into this next chapter of our lives, we should find a way to settle it. We’ll need to take a deep breath, steady our pace and move forward one step at a time.
