As we approach the final months of school, there is a hidden sadness among seniors. Even those of us who caught senioritis can agree, we’re all going to miss high school when it’s gone. 

Many of us have been surrounded by the same classmates for years, we’ve grown such strong bonds with one another, and after June 3, we all just go our own ways, paving our own path on the road to adulthood. 

Some of us are going to college, where everything changes. Instead of being the top dogs in school, we become the newbies again. We will have to step out of our comfort zone and meet new people. Afterall, we won’t have the same people surrounding us as we did the previous 4-13 years. 

Those not going to college will begin their careers in the workforce and start stacking up on currency. Whether you’re going to be a student or employee somewhere, after high school we all begin separate journeys, and this is certainly scary for some of us.  

Why is this scary? Because we truly are on our own. We lose close friends that have always been close to our hearts, mentors, teachers, and coaches that we’re used to seeing everyday will no longer always be around, and the worst of it all? Those of us traveling far away for college or work most likely won’t have their parents or siblings around as much, which will cause a lot of emotional distress for some.

There’s a lot we took for granted in high school that we simply won’t have anymore. So far this year, we have sat in the student section at football games for the final time, we played our final Mangy game, the last Longfellow game, and we’ve seen our fall and winter sports teams play in the crimson and gold for the last time. 

“Don’t take the time you get to spend with the people you love for granted,” Senior Lily Ball said. “High school doesn’t last forever, make memories while you can.”

Underclassmen, don’t take your time in high school for granted. You have no idea how well you have it made right now. Your time to graduate will come sooner than you think, so over the course of the next few years, learn to appreciate each other and the high school experience as a whole. Attend as many sports events as you can, become more involved in school activities, ask out that cute guy or girl, and most importantly hold on to all the memories you make over these four years. I promise you’ll regret it if you don’t. 

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the GENESIS staff. Reach Tyler Lehner at [email protected].