Dear High School Seniors, You’re Going to Miss This

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This Post: Dear High School Seniors…You’re Going to Miss This

Written By: Morgan Hill

Dear, high school seniors… the clock is ticking down and in just a few short months you’ll bid farewell to high school to start a new and exciting chapter in your life… and, you can’t wait!

It will be your time to (finally!) strike out on your own and say “See ya, high school, and hello to the sweet, sweet freedom of ‘no one breathing down your back’ adult life!”

Whether you had the most amazing four years of your life in high school or there are a few things you’re excited to leave behind, there are likely more than a few things you will miss – things you might not even realize! 

So, before you walk the halls of your high school for the very last time, take a trip down memory lane and recall all the amazing experiences you’ve had and the friends and memories you’ve made – because dear high school seniors, you’re going to miss this. Really! 

Ahhh… coming home from school, practice, or work and being able to crash on your bed, take a little snooze, or play video games to decompress by yourself is the BEST. Well… chances are (if you’re headed to the dorms), you’ll have at least one roommate. Or, maybe you’ll join a frat or sorority? Umm, yeah… forget privacy. Enjoy it while it lasts. 

“Hey Mom, can I have 10 bucks to go to Chick-fil-A?” Dad, can you give me $20 for gas?” Those human ATM machines sure are convenient, aren’t they? Free money! Well… Mom and Dad may not be quite so eager to spot you some cash if they’re forking out big bucks for your education. You might have to get used to the “broke student” life.

Whether it’s your Mom’s famous pot roast or your Dad’s ribs on the grill, there is literally nothing better than a home-cooked meal made with love. Well… eat up while you can (and learn how to make your favorite recipes, too) because if you’re headed to college, cafeteria food gets old pretty darn quick!

Sure, they’re annoying now. But when you’re across the state or across the country, you might be surprised how much you actually miss them!

Yep, you can still connect via cell, text, or Snapchat. But it won’t be the same as them annoying you in person. 

When you’re sick enough to skip school, there’s nothing more comforting than Mom bringing you a steaming hot bowl of chicken soup and setting you up on the sofa to watch TV and recuperate.

You’ll miss this when you’re dragging yourself to the drugstore at midnight to stock up on cold meds and Ramen. 

A Predictable Routine

While it might feel boring, at times, it’s nice to have a routine. Up at 7:30, off to school, out at 2:30, sports, friends, home, dinner, homework. Repeat. But college schedules are inconsistent, with Tuesdays having a 6 p.m. seminar and a lecture on Friday at noon. Of course, freedom IS fabulous, but it can be harder to plan your time and stay disciplined and productive.

You may have been involved in competitive sports since you were a toddler – practice, weekend games, and tournaments were your life. But unless you make a college team, that goes away.

Instead, think intramural sports, or maybe group frisbee is really your jam instead! (Hey, don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!)

While friend groups morph and change throughout high school, there’s a solid chance you’ve got a few besties you’re really gonna miss.

Together, you’ve racked up more memories than you can count and did more stupid things than you can recall. Of course, you’ll make new friends wherever you’re headed, but those high school friends? Well… they’re pretty special. 

When your dog sits by the door with a wagging tail anxiously waiting for you to come home. When your cat snuggles with you at night. Your favorite furry friends make life better! Try not to take them for granted because trust me on this one, you’re really going to miss them. So… take time while you’re still home to relish in those cuddles and maybe toss a few dinner scraps to them under the table when your Mom isn’t looking.

Whether it’s visiting church or temple on Sundays or taking part in all those cheesy Christmas or Thanksgiving traditions you’ve been doing with your family since you were three, you really ARE going to miss them.  Hard to believe, right!? Suddenly, all those traditions feel like home and they matter so much more. 

The corner store, the nice (or cranky) neighbor down the street, or your favorite hangout – it’s all so familiar and easy and comfortable. Sure, you’ll get to know your new home or campus, too. But your home town will always be… well, home.

The Comforts of Home

There really IS no place like home. You know which squeaky floorboard to step over when you walk in the door past curfew on a Saturday night. You have a favorite spot at the kitchen table and on the couch. And, when you head to the pantry or fridge, there’s always something relatively decent to eat.

Soak all this in before you head off because that “homey” feeling is hard to replicate.

The last football game, the last bonfire, the last spirit week or pep rally or basketball game… you’ll look back and realize just how great it all was. Before it all ends, enjoy these fleeting days! Of course, there are plenty of firsts to come which will be just as memory-worthy, but those high school days will always hold a special place in your heart. 

Your Mom’s constant reminders – “Do your homework!” “Drive safely!” “Make good choices!” “Be home by curfew!” “Remember I LOVE YOU!” and your Dad’s cheesy jokes and (sometimes agonizingly boring) life stories might seem annoying or lame, but man… you’re going to miss it.

Sure, your parents will love you just as hard when you’re away, but you’re going to miss having them right beside you in life. So, soak up their love, tell them how much you appreciate them, and wrap them in a big hug – (trust me, they’ll love it)! Knowing life is about to change BIG TIME might be exciting for you, but it’s really hard on them… 

About Morgan Hill:

Morgan Hill is an essayist and humorist. She has written for many online and print publications including Insider, Your Teen Magazine, Revel, and MASK Magazine. She is the mother of freshman and senior sons in high school. When not writing, she can be found at flea markets, in her garden, photographing architecture, taking cooking classes, or eating the stinkiest cheese she can find. You can also find her on Twitter @MorganHWrites or Instagram @MorganHillWriter

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