I Know You Will Miss High School: It's Ok
Take a second to think about the question: what will you miss most about high school?
If you're anything like me, your initial response will be "Nothing! I'm so glad high school is over, and i can't wait to be immersed in life at Penn." I was so excited to get away that I never took the time to consider that there were things I missed about high school.
I missed reading in the park with my friends. This was my go-to activity for the weekend or summer fun. we would grab some snacks and blankets, bicycles or hula hoops, and head over to the park to lay out in the sun for hours. I enjoyed having this stress-free time during my busy schedule of school, homework, extracurricular activities, and my part-time job.
I missed the structure that high school provided. Rigid structure is both a blessing and a curse. You have no time to chill and goof off. At the same time, each day was highly productive because I knew my routine: Get up early, go to club meetings, school until 2:20pm, go to cross country practice, do homework, eat dinner, go to bed, repeat the next morning. There was so much freedom in my schedule at Penn that I struggled to feel as productive as I was in high school.
Most of all, I missed running cross country. My high school allows almost anyone to participate in sports, so I was able to join the women's cross country team with no prior experience. I loved cross country deeply; it taught me discipline and encouraged personal growth. It fostered teamwork and friendships with people I may never have spoken to otherwise. Most of all, it was fun! My teammates and I were often laughing so hard we couldn't concentrate on our workouts. At the beginning of college, I was unsure whether anything that special would happen again.
Once I really thought about what I missed, I was a little sad. I felt like I did not cherish my time in high school because it was overshadowed by excitement to leave. I thought: "These were moments I can't get back...how could I let them slip away so quickly?" Then I remembered that moving on is about leaving some things behind while taking on some new things. It doesn't mean I have to forget; but, acknowledging feelings of nostalgia can bring comfort during times that are unfamiliar or nerve-wracking.
So I ask you "what will you miss most about high school?" I want to remind you that it's okay to miss high school! Acknowledge those moments and remember them fondly. But, also keep in mind that you will make more amazing memories. I thought I might not have another experience that I loved as much as cross country. It turned out I was wrong, I had just as many amazing experiences, and I formed lasting friendships as a major bonus!
Wishing you all the best! -Samantha
Samantha is a C/O 2015 Visual Communications Major with a Minor in Theatre Arts from Buffalo, NY.
