Let’s be real. High school is tough. But on the flip side, I wouldn’t trade my friends or teachers for anything. I remember being a fish on the first day of school and I got lost five times the first day, and three times the second. There is no amount of (preparation anyone can give to adequately prepare you) for high school.

Getting stepped on as I’d walk through the “R,” or walking in circles through the art building trying to find Lem’s room, no. There was nothing that could’ve helped me through this at all. I think the one thing that did actually help me was knowing that I wasn’t the only lost child that day, I was only one of many. And let me emphasize many because that’s not an exaggeration.

One of the other struggles I’ve dealt with is that the line of students never ends. Let me explain. If you’re trying to get out of the science building, or trying to get into the hoard going out the doors towards the science building you might as well take a seat on one of the benches ‘cause it ain’t gonna happen. Anyway, moving past that. I guess the point of this is to welcome any newbies and attempt to alarm you of what we’ve all endured at least once (although it doesn’t get better sophomore year if you’ve never set foot in the electives or athletic building).

But now, on a more serious note. This lovely little wretched place has prepared me for more than I ever hope to need preparation for. I can honestly say that I’ve grown more as a person in the last three years than I have in my life. High school has helped me learn that things will not go as planned, and also that when a teacher gives you two months to do an assignment you probably can’t actually do it the night before. Of course I could be the good child and tell you that procrastination is bad, but I’m among the worst procrastinators out there so that would be hypocritical.

I guess one of the things high school has done most for me is show me that people are temporary. After watching so many senior friends graduate and never come back, I’ve learned that you just have to go with the flow and don’t expect much from another person because they’re only going to be there for a short while until they’re off to the next things for themselves. And then before you know it, you’ll be in their shoes too.