sjsprWriting

Not even a month before school started, I had already begun to receive advice for this year. “Time flies, have a great time!” and “You’re only a senior once – enjoy it as much as possible!” were happily thrown around by parents, friends, aunts, uncles, doctors, waiters, strangers—everyone.

I, on the other hand, died a little every time I was reminded how quickly things would change. In the span of ten months, I will have my last experiences as a high school student from Saint John’s School. Soon, I will have my last pep rally, my last basketball game, and my last musical. Soon, I will have the last night out with my best friends and the last chance to finally ace one of my calc exams.

All I have left are forty weeks as a high school student. I have forty weeks to make this last year unforgettable with the people I have spent fourteen years of my life with. Forty weeks before I’m supposed to dress up in a cap and gown and begin a new chapter of my life.

This is why I’ve come up with a bucket list. I will be road tripping through Puerto Rico. I will finally get the tan I’ve desperately needed the last five years. I will ski in Vermont and enjoy the snowy hills and mugs of hot cocoa to then surprise visit my best friend in Chile. I will dance like there is no tomorrow in every music festival. I will defeat my best friend in our ongoing intense tennis match. This year is full of “I will’s” because there’s no room for “maybe” and “next year.” This is my last chance to enjoy the simplicity of hanging out with my best friends I’ve known for years, being a high school student, and creating great memories one last time.

The clock is ticking.