As the end of the school year approaches, I asked a few 12th graders to reflect on their high school experience. The past few years have been filled with ups and downs, and for some, it may have felt like a long and confusing journey. For others, it may have been an immersive and worthwhile experience that happened in a flash. Here's what they had to say.
When asked to describe the past three and a half years in three words, one senior stated that high school was "long and confusing" yet "worthwhile." Another senior replied, "change, immersive, fast." These responses perfectly encapsulate how many of us feel about high school–there may have been a few bumps along the way, but ultimately it was unique and rewarding.
Next, when asked about something they wanted to do before graduating, two seniors had very different responses. One wanted to get their provisional license, while the other proudly declared that they had finished their bucket list. Their responses show that everyone has their own goals and dreams, and there's no right or wrong way to spend your time in high school.
To give the younger students something to look forward to, I asked the seniors what their favorite memory at Parker School was. One senior enjoyed spending time playing online games with their friends, while the other cherished the experience of revealing the bull and putting on prom. Their responses are a reminder that everyone has different interests and experiences in high school, and that makes it such a unique and diverse environment.
However, admittedly, high school can be a tough learning experience. We leave with lifelong memories and amazing relationships, but there may be some things we wish we could change. When asked about something they would change if they could redo the past few years, two seniors had very different responses. One wished they had made friends earlier, while the other said they would have been kinder to people they didn't know. Although going back in time isn't a solution, these lessons will help us to be more compassionate and friendly people as we enter the next stage in our lives.
On the topic of lessons, when asked what advice they would give to freshmen as a senior, two seniors emphasized the importance of starting to work on college selection and application early, and not being afraid to ask for help. While college was the furthest thing from my mind as a 14 year old (I was mostly concerned about how to effectively exercise my new privilege of going to town for lunch), it's true that high school is a time to start thinking about the future. Luckily, we don't have to do it alone. There are always people around to support and guide us.
Finally, when asked what they would miss most after graduating, one senior said they would miss the small size of their school and the close-knit community, while the other simply said they would miss being able to see their friends every day.
High school is a time of growth, change, and self-discovery. It's a time to explore new interests, make new friends, and start thinking about the future. While everyone's experience is different, we can all learn from the lessons and experiences of those who came before us. Parker has provided a special place for the class of 2023 to learn, grow, and prosper. The friendships and lessons we have learned here will aid us as we take the exhilarating and scary steps into our adult lives.