Editor’s note: Senior goodbye columns reflect on senior staffers’ experiences through high school and allow them an opportunity to share what they have learned with the school. Each senior Red Ledger staffer presents his or her personal perspective. One staffer’s column will be posted every day until all are published.
In middle school, I believed that high school would be just like the movies. Now as a second-semester senior, I can honestly say it was nothing close to half of that of a cliche teen film.
As of right now, I’d like to think that high school itself hasn’t been life-changing for me, and I take some of the blame for that. I didn’t intentionally try to make it miserable, I just didn’t try that hard to make it the best it could have been.
I’m the type of person who looks too much toward the future, instead of focusing on the present. When I decided on what college I wanted to attend, it was the only thing I was concerned about, making it hard for me to enjoy what was going on currently in my life.
It’s hard to reflect over these past few years because for most of the time I just wanted it to be over. Thus, I didn’t enjoy the days to my fullest ability.
Why was I so adamant about leaving? Around the end of my sophomore year, I started to feel a shift in my attitude towards this place. It wasn’t so much that I was ready to be a senior or graduate, but it was that I felt stuck within these four walls. Days became so repetitive, seeing the same people, going through the same cliche traditions every season. I was learning in my classes, but I wasn’t experiencing anything groundbreaking socially. I felt as though there really wasn’t much that Lovejoy had to offer me and vice versa.
I soon realized that perception was dooming to my experience. By setting that mindset, I limited myself to having a worthwhile time in high school. I resented not having the experience that I thought I would, but I’m grateful for the memories I’ve created.
I can definitely say that senior year has been my favorite time during high school, partially because I know that the end is near, but mainly because I decided to turn my focus on the positive aspect of my experience. I’ve tried to be intentional about making these last two semesters of my high school career count.
I’m very ecstatic to be starting my new journey in the fall. Spelman College hardly resembles Lovejoy, which is the most exciting part. Almost everything will be completely different or brand new, including the state to the demographics of students, just to name a couple.
My biggest regret was not being able to make as large of a lasting impact on the school as possible. I don’t think I’ll be leaving anything behind that people will be able to see and use as inspiration. I put effort into making a difference in the African American community through Black Leopard Society, however, I lack confidence in believing the club had true influence in some people’s lives. If I could go back and put in more time and dedication, I definitely would. Although I wasn’t able to give Lovejoy my all, I am grateful for all the things Lovejoy has given me.
Being at Lovejoy has taught how to better adapt and make the best out of situations, and I’m thankful for those lessons. If I had to give any advice, I’d say if someone invites you to something, go. Talk to the people in your classes; the awkward phase will pass. Make connections or relationships with your teachers; they aren’t all horrible.
Memories won’t make themselves. You have to be intentional about some things, and eventually, everything else will fall into place. Lastly, do what you want to do. This may seem simple but you only get one shot at high school, you might as well make memories that matter the most to you.
