“Move on.”
The end of the school year is approaching.
Classes are getting shorter, the halls are getting emptier, students are getting antsier, and it is time for our seniors to move on.
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Go to school, stay a while, then move on.
Moving on, however, is an entirely different burden of its own. Graduating means so much more than just graduating high school. It means saying goodbye to the safety net that is childhood and saying hello to the unknown of adulthood.
After 12 years of getting used to this chapter– getting used to being consoled and coddled, to not having to know what to do, to caring so much about things that don’t even matter– you are being thrown into a whole new world, flipping the page onto a whole new chapter.
It’s exciting, exhilarating even. There are so many possibilities, so many chances to become the person you’ve always wanted to be and craft the life you’ve always wanted to live. But, maybe even more so, it’s scary.
Who do you really want to be?
What life do you really want to live?
These mixed emotions are hitting Athens Drive’s seniors hard.
“It can be scary to know that I am leaving the safety of high school. One of the things that’s already changing is that I have less reminders and fewer people to be reliant on for things like signing up for classes and other things that have to do with school work. The independence is really hitting,” said Amena Matcheswala, senior. “As intimidating as it is, however, I am very excited for the reformation period I am now entering.”
Despite the pain that comes with moving on, many seniors realize how special the foundation that they have gotten at Athens is for their futures. From its diverse population to the high standards of its classes and teachers, no school leaves you quite as ready for the real world as Athens Drive.
“Athens has been a very special experience for me. It made me feel at home because of my friends and teachers and how everyone cares about each other.I’m very sad to leave Athens behind. Everyones going their separate ways, which will split us all up. I’m going to miss all my friends, the ones who aren’t graduating too,” said Syed Abbas, senior. “But I’m excited to start this new chapter of my life.”
Sometimes, the most difficult things to leave behind aren’t those that seniors are closest to, but the ones that being inAthens could keep in their lives.
“In a way I’m sad that I have to leave behind my friends that I’ve made in high school, knowing that it’ll be hard to keep in touch because we won’t be seeing each other everyday anymore. I’m also leaving behind almost everything I know and that’s a little scary. But also I’m so excited to experience college life, to get to know myself independently, and to choose classes that I’m genuinely interested in,” said Zoe Som, senior.
You will be lost.
You will be overwhelmed.
You will be unprepared.
It is only the cycle of life: a new page must be turned, a new chapter must begin.
You’ve worked so hard; it’s time to reap the rewards with pride. You have all the cards in your hand. There will never be a time like this again where you can truly do whatever it is you want to do. Take advantage of it.
‘“The pain and the fear is just a sign that you got the most that you could have out of your high school experience. But ultimately, greenhouses have roofs, and you can only grow so much. So it’s time to leave this room and find the sun,” said Matcheswala.
However, don’t get too excited! This is such an important year to make the most of, and such a valuable time to relax, recenter, and rejuvenate.
“Enjoy it, man! College only happens once, make the most out of it,” said Abbas. He jokingly added, “Don’t worry, all the answers are on the Quizlet.”
Even though many people brag about the smooth sailing of senior year, it does not come without its difficulties. Applying to colleges, preparing for adulthood, and most importantly, leaving the nest often feel very high pressure.
“Although getting out of your comfort zone can be uncomfortable, it allows you to become more centered and confident in yourself,” said Som.
The cycle of separation anxiety is a normal one to run through. The life you live now is slowly slipping from your fingertips. You may feel lost, overwhelmed, and unprepared. Truthfully, you will be.
You will be lost.
You will be overwhelmed.
You will be unprepared.
But, you will be okay.
