The days tick by, the classes build in complication, and finally senior year has truly begun. As I carry my textbooks through these all too familiar halls, I also carry my dreams, goals, plans, and ambitions. My peers and I chat excitedly about college applications, admissions essays and scholarships; hiding our begrudging anxiety. It seems unreal, the time has carried us to the last stages of our secondary education and now we must frantically follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and walk onto the stage of maturity. Although it is exciting, we are really just wondering how we got here: how did we progress so seemingly fast through our lives to where we are now? Standing on the brink of adulthood, wobbling unsteadily, unsure of every decision.
It can feel so far away from me, irrelevant almost. I am not concerned with getting the perfect letter of recommendation, or constructing the most persuasive personal essay. My time is not consumed by applications or registrations. I am void of the standard senior year college search strife.
What I am concerned with is my future. What do I want to be when I grow up?
Happy.
My main concern this senior year is putting myself in a position where I have options, I do not want to be in a place where I am forced to choose something because I have no alternative. My time in high school has been spent building my resume: honors and AP courses, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Solo & Ensemble Contest, auditioning to be Drum Major, Band Council President, Tennis, Pit Orchestra for the Spring Musical. What has all of this been for? So that I can have options. So that if Up With People doesn't work out, I can still get into a reputable college. So that no matter how my plan shifts, I will be prepared to accomplish anything.
The question of "How are you liking the senior life?" can only be answered by the phrase "What life?". The main difference between my past few years and a high school student and now, is that now my time is much more precious. My obligations are plentiful, my responsibilities multiple, my relaxation minimal and my frivolous meanderings nonexistent.
I definitely had underestimated the level of responsibility this year would require and overestimated my ability to multitask. So far this year has taught me to try to be more flexible and not use my time as efficiently as possible. A work in progress, but a lesson worth learning soon.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this. My hope is to keep this page updated as I chronicle My Journey to Up With People! So make sure to check back for new posts. Until next time, yours truly.
