Dear Class of 2018...

Dear Class of 2018,

     In just over a week you will begin an adventure of "lasts." You will have your last first day of school, your last football game, your last state test, and so many more lasts. This new journey is one full of excitement, nerves, and unknowns. You will walk into the high school as a senior and you will feel on top of the world. Pep assemblies, sporting events, and all other activities will seem so much more important than they were last year, but with the fun comes a new level of responsibility. You will start applying to college, have a lot of big decisions to make, and will have the underclassmen looking up to you. I hope that as you go throughout your senior you find joy and have fun, but that you don't forget the things in life that are most important.
     Two years ago, when I was a senior, I made a list of 50 Things to Remember During Senior Year. This list put life into perspective and helped me figure out where I wanted my priorities to lie. I hope that this list helps you as much as it helped me:

1.This isn't the prime of your life, enjoy it but don't stress too much.

    If you know me then you know that I did not love high school as much as some people did, but I learned a lot and am grateful that that was just another step in my story not the climax of my story!     (P.S. college is great!)

2. Go to prom but don't break the bank.

     A dress can be beautiful and not cost a leg and an arm, I promise!

3. Appreciate clean dishes, homemade meals, and clean clothes. Soon those will be your responsibilities.

    College is a whole new world full of cafeteria food, shared laundry rooms, and washing dishes in the bathroom sink. Enjoy life at home to the fullest!

4. Apply for scholarships.

     No one has ever regretted getting money for college.

5. Tour colleges.

     College will be your home for the next four years. Would you ever buy a house having only seen it online? 

6. Find friends who share your morals... It makes life easier.

    Good friends make good choices!

7. Don't procrastinate, the stakes are higher.

    There are not extensions for scholarship or college application deadlines.

8. Eat the piece of cake but don't forget to exercise.

     You are young, but this is your only body...make your health a priority!

9. Set a curfew and a bedtime for yourself, then follow it.

    You are happier and do better work if you are well rested.

10. Take the hard classes, you won't regret it.

      College is difficult for everyone but taking the hard classes help prepare you! 

11. If you want a better ACT score...STUDY!

      Say good-bye to the days of acing a test you didn't study for! 

12. Pick a random roommate...it will be okay.

      Roommates teach you a lot bout yourself and life in general. They might even become your best friend!

13.  Don't neglect your spirituality...pray, read, and go to church.

       Keeping your soul healthy is just as important as keeping your body healthy!

14. Cheer at the football games because this is the last year that you will know all the players by name.

      Football is great and those boys out there are part of your school so go out and support them, their talents, and their efforts. The games will be some of your fondest high school memories! (This applies to all sports!)

15. Buy college things sporadically, not all at once.

      Don't break the bank (yours or your parents)!

16. Get to know your school counselor.

      Without them you wouldn't end up at college, I promise!

17. Get involved!

      Make memories to take with you to college!

18. Don't get lazy...the habits you make this year will go with you to college.

      Habits are hard to make but harder to break.

19. Take pictures...lots of them!

       I regret not taking more.

20. Talk to your little sister whenever you can because one day she will be your number one best friend.

       Your siblings are so important and such a blessing to you. Love them hard.

21. Don't get in trouble, it isn't worth it.

      Mistakes happen but do not go looking for trouble!

22. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions.

      The only way you learn is by asking questions!

23. Learn how to cook your favorite food.

      There is nothing like a homemade meal from your mom but when she isn't around it is nice to still have that comfort food!

24. Build a testimony.

      Your testimony is something you can take with you no matter where you go. Whether you are 5,000 miles away or 5 blocks down the road your testimony is yours and it can keep you safe and sane through your new college adventures.

25. You're not "uncool" if you stay at the school for lunch.

      I learned some of the most important life lessons and met some of the most genuine people while sitting at school during lunch. (Also, trying to get back to school on time is stressful!)

26. Focus on loving your best friend not a boy.

      Boys come and go but friends can last a life time!

27. Boys don't take things as seriously as girls do in high school.

      They just don't.

28. Be trustworthy.

      You will never regret being trustworthy.

29. Appreciate your teachers.

      They do more for you than you will ever know.

30. Don't lose sleep over something stupid you said, only you remember it!

      There were many nights that I stayed awake worrying that other people thought I was crazy or   stupid but in reality I was the only one who cared.

31. Make a big deal of your high school teams winning games!

      I know you are grateful when your peers support you in your activities and doing the same thing   for them will make their day and will make you feel good!

32. Remember that we are all in this together; don't be jealous of other people’s successes.

      Celebrate others!

33. Don't waste all your money.

      College is expensive and saving now will help in the future.

34. Give your dad an extra hug, he will miss you when you are gone.

      You will miss him too!

35. Do extra chores around the house to express your gratitude for your parents.

      Take a moment and think about all the things your parents have done for you...now, do a little extra for them!

36. Go out of your way to support your friends.

      They are your friends and you love them!

37. Remember that everyone is hurting a little bit.

      No one's life is perfect (no matter how good it looks on social media) so love everyone a little more.

38. You might be young but you aren't invincible.

       Don't be stupid.

39. Say hi to the cute boy.

      Chances are he will say "hi" back and maybe he will turn out to be one of your good friends!

40. Don't judge people based on their grades.

      Grades do not say everything about a person.

41. Marvel at the sunrise and sunset.

      Your life will only get busier so take the time to appreciate God's beautiful creations.

42. Learn empathy.

      This skill will help you throughout your entire life.

43. Your grades matter even if you are accepted to a college.

      Don't slack off because school is about to get a lot harder.

44. Your plan isn’t necessarily the Lord’s plan, so listen to Him and trust that he knows best.

      This one is hard to do but learning to have faith is so important!

45. Pay tithing.

      Always.

46. Find a stress reliever!

      Everyone needs to have something they can do to take their mind off of life's trials! 

47. Call your grandma occasionally.

      She has the best advice and loves you immensely. 

48. Talk to people you don’t know very well because you might just find your best friend!

       They are probably amazing!

49. Buy a yearbook.

      "You're gonna miss this.." - Trace Adkins

50. Movie nights are good for the soul.

      Staying in or going out movie nights are the best!

     Good luck high school seniors! This year will be amazing and you will learn so much! Have fun, love your tribe hard, and find what is important to you. I look forward to seeing and celebrating your successes with you!

-Kate