To the high school seniors: you are close.
You are in the last few hundred feet of the marathon. You've lost sleep, forgotten showers, and missed meals at times. Not every night was pretty notes and ordered flashcards. Some were the closing shift at work and a morning bedtime. Not all tests were 100s, even when you studied. But you've given all your strength, all of your fighting spirit, even when some days you gave much more than others. Some days you rejoiced with friends, other days you linked hands with them and hoped for relief. You've gotten your acceptances, your rejections, your waitlists. You've been questioned by family, friends, teachers, peers, and strangers as to why you chose the major, college, technical school, or career path you did. You've struggled over the choices and delighted in the decisions.
But you're in the last few hundred feet of that marathon, so finish strong. Don't stumble across that finish line, surge across it in a last burst of speed. Put pride into your studying. Block your social media for an hour at a time, even half an hour. Turn down social invitations from your friends and arrange study sessions instead. Get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start studying now instead of cramming. Shower, bathe, trim your nails, brush your hair. Indulge in self-care, whether that means your favorite ice cream or music; buying a new lipstick, video game, or notebook; or taking 30 minutes to sit in silence and simply breathe. Replace self-loathing thoughts with reminders of your strengths and successes. Hype yourself up. Take your exams well-rested, prepared, and encouraged. Pass them, whether just barely for your weak subjects or with flying colors for your strong ones. Walk out of that room with your head high. Accept that diploma with pride. Receive those scores with pride.
Cross that finish line with power and joy.
