senior year

Senior year. Does it even matter anymore?

Well, don't look at me! I have absolutely no clue! Half of me says, "Nah, it's not like my grades even matter. As long as I don't fail any classes, I'm set" but my other half can't handle the slacking. It's like some sort of principle; teachers put in the time to teach so, as a student, I must put in the time to learn. That means getting decent grades. Such as “A’s”..those are good..

So, what are we supposed to do? Our plans are ready, waiting for a piece of paper to tell us we succeeded and that we can move forward. It might be a diploma, an acceptance letter, or a mission call, but that's not what makes us truly successful. True, it is an indicator, but it is not a creator. We sit around, waiting to know for certain what kind of person we will become based on what someone else says.

Does it matter? We decide everyday and those decisions can be very hard. Would it really make that much of a difference to put in the work to get from a C+ to a B? My applications are in. It's not like anyone will look at my grades now. The thing that matters is that II will know that I made the choice not to do my best. It's not about how many AP classes you took, it’s not about the letters on a report card, it's not even about getting into your dream college. I'm not saying you can get into your career of choice without having to play the higher education game, and I'm not saying that that isn't important, but it's not the single most important thing of your life. Not even in the top ten.

Be who you aspire to be today. Learning where we are now and recognizing the things we can improve on is key to dealing with real life- and it's coming. Next year, well, in five months, high school will be over. We need to be actively equipping ourselves with the habits and principles necessary to achieve our personal successes. There isn't time to do it later, we have to do it now.

Senior year is confusing, we are pulled in so many different directions, and there are so many good things to be doing. Don't sweat it, we are all feeling it: Senioritis. It is a real thing! Just remember, although this stage in our life is ending, that doesn't mean we should opt out of bigger and better opportunities. Life goes on after high school. Set yourself up for success. You are the only one who determines what success is for you, and you're the only one that can ensure that you will get there. It'll be hard sometimes, but you can make it. Find something or someone you love. Keep pushing. Pushing for a better future isn't always about grades, it's an attitude, and yes, you can have one without the other.

In the end it's why you do something that determines that thing’s value, so why do we do what we do? Why do you do what you do?

Does that matter anymore?

2013