Seniors Reflect on High School Experience
Whether we admit it or not, all students leave high school with a feeling. Having endured or relished their four years of the high school experience, how can students not have opinions about the time they spent there? How can students not leave the school with memories that they will cherish forever? High school is a stage in life during which one begins to explore interests and develop an identity. The steps that students take in high school are ones that both enrich and guide their lives.
The seniors at AB are required to write senior speeches, from which two are chosen to be given at their graduation ceremony. While interviewing four seniors, as well as reading their speeches, several common themes and advice for underclassman recurred.
With the open prospect of their futures after high school lying so close, the seniors already feel nostalgic for their time spent at AB. They remember their growth from unsure freshman to the confident seniors they are today. In his senior speech, Amol Mehta parallels the customary “freshman backpack,” to the insecurity of freshman. He writes, “We needed to keep all of our prized possessions close to us. Our backpacks were the logical places to store all that stuff, even if it meant a few sore backs periodically. As freshman, we had that much extra baggage because we were unsure of ourselves…our backpacks held the weight of our quest to find our own way in the new and foreign world of high school.” Mehta recalls the feeling of dominance as he entered his final year of high school. “We entered this year looking like experienced seniors, as if we had been practicing for this year,” he says, “Our backpacks had become thin and lightweight as we garnered focus onto a path we wanted to pursue.”
Tina Sun, a four-year member of the school band, expresses a similar idea of growth throughout high school by comparing her peers to a band. She says, “As freshman, we came into [AB] as a rather discordant band…sometimes rushing the tempo and sometimes lagging behind, but constantly scrambling around to find our rightful places. We tried the many different instruments of high school by playing sports, getting involved in student government, or joining the math and science teams. Our symphony started out as an eclectic mix of dissonant noises but our individual voices have combined beautifully.”
Other than sagacious thoughts about their years in high school, the seniors also highlighted specific activities that were memorable throughout the years.
Mehta says, “One of my favorite activities in high school was Student Council. I was a member for all my years in high school, and I really enjoyed being a part of such a group that had power over school policy and school events. It was a great experience and I recommend to any under classmen that they consider joining it.”
Sun adds, “I think my favorite memory was band camp the summer before my freshman year. I had been really nervous for high school and band camp was just such a great way to be introduced to everything. Since then, I’ve been so glad I had decided to continue with band.”
The seniors also part with words of advice.
In her essay, Kirsten Carlson encourages students to try new things, “Sometimes a different scene is good for you. You need to try new things. I am glad I did. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have made the friendships that I have now, I would never have known what if feels like to be risky…Get out there and try something bizarre.”
Lauren O’Brien agrees, saying, “Take advantage of the time you have together. It goes by way too fast. Branch out and get to know those people you never would otherwise. Try something new – whether it be track, drama, photography club, student council or whatever. Don’t hold back.”
Mehta’s advice is to “try to enjoy your years of high school; as a graduating senior, I can tell you I regret not making more friends and really just having a great time. And don’t stress out too much over academics; yes they are important, but it’s also equally important to have fun.”
He also advises incoming seniors, “It’s going to be a tough first semester beginning of senior year, but really try hard to get all that college [application] stuff done early and put the most amount of effort into your classes those first two terms. You won’t regret it come third and fourth term, and it will make the last few months of your high school career that much better of an experience.”
Sun agrees, but views the application process in a more positive light. She says, “Savor the college applications process. It will change the way you see the world: all of a sudden, every single event can be twisted into a college essay and the Starbucks that you had previously found relaxing will be the site of your first nerve-wrecking interview.”
In general, Sun advises underclassman to “sleep more. That and, you know, the usual: Eat your vegetables, wash behind the ears, find something you love to do that will help with the inevitably high stress level.”
Despite dwelling on the past, the seniors are excited about their future.
Mehta says, “I have matured so much over the past four years, that I imagine myself maturing even more and becoming more open and social with people. It’s tough to imagine life after high school, but I know there will be so many memorable experiences to come. As of now, I picture myself sticking to a pre-medical track and go to medical school, with the hopes of becoming a doctor someday.”
Sun says, “Before the credit crisis and the current economic meltdown happened, I would have said I could see myself as an investment banker trotting around in heels at somewhere like Goldman. Now, I really don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I’m just glad I’m still in school and not entering the job market right now.”
O’Brien optimistically concludes in her essay, “Whether the next year brings college, work opportunity, or travel, we will be more on our own than we have been throughout our years here at AB. We have been taking baby steps toward adulthood, and graduation is our first big leap.”
Despite all its challenges, it seems like high school really was a worthwhile and treasured experience for the seniors of AB.
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