15 Things Wish Someone Told Me Before My Senior Year Of High School

My awesome Class of 2016 Senior Model Emily just recently graduated from Rockwall High School and she wanted to share “15 things wish someone  told me before my senior year of high school.” This is what she wrote:

I write to the class of 2017. Here are 15 things I wish someone told me before my senior year of high school. (Actually, they probably did, I just didn’t listen).

1. BUY THE PAINTED PARKING SPOT AND CAMP OUT FOR IT. You are going to literally hate life while you sit in front of the school from 11AM till God knows when. You are going to discover another side of yourself as you mob the people in front of you to get to the front of the line.  To be in the front row of the parking lot is so worth it and your end of the year self will be thankful for it. Plus, there is a certain level of senior pride in getting the right to be the tenth person or so to pick your spot.

2. Go FULL OUT on themed costume days. Especially homecoming and prom week. No one is going to make fun of you. You are a senior, it is your time to shine. Don’t be scared to take the limelight. Plus, it makes for great pictures.

3. Take LOTS OF PICTURES. Get your pictures professionally taken if you can.  Literally take pictures of everything and everyone because you are going to value those a lot some day.

4. Try out your classes. Yes, even after being accepted to your dream school. The better of a student you are now the more likely you are to get off the hook for things at the end of the year.

5. Do your senior hundred hours.  Give blood or something. While it seems silly when you get to graduation you will have wished you had done it.

6. Learn the school song. No really, learn it. Regardless of how much actual school spirit you have there is nothing quite like knowing the song and being able to sing (well yell) along.

7. Audition and try out for literally everything. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take and it is your last chance to try, so why not. You have absolutely nothing to lose in trying and you will always wonder if you don’t. Don’t let your pride get in the way.

8. Don’t forget just how much people look up to seniors. Especially the sophomores and freshman who didn’t see you when you were their age. They haven’t seen what it took for you to become who you are today and don’t understand at one point you were them. Don’t be an arrogant jerk.  Take the time to make a difference in their lives. People change a lot in the four years of high school and don’t forget the freshman you started off as.

9. Have all the friends you want. A lot of the kids going to school far away use the “I’m moving anyway” excuse when something goes wrong with someone else (I’m really bad about this one). Please don’t, because no matter how much it matters in the long run.  If it matters to you now it is worth it.

10. Let school issues be a priority in your life. As a senior ,you get barely any time to enjoy being a senior because you are planning your future. Don’t let that absorb your life. Don’t worry about the upcoming choir concert you aren’t ready for or the big game your team is about to play or a big competition your club is competing in. Really, enjoy yourself because while it may be stressful now, you will miss it when it is over.

11. You truly learn who your true friends are and you suddenly go from a huge friend group to like 3 friends and that is 100% okay. At some point in the year you are at a different phase of life than all the underclassman below you and that changes things and part of growing up is growing apart.

12. That being said, do everything you can to be with your friends and let them know that you aren’t disappearing just because you are graduating. They are going to need this same conversation I’m giving now from you in a year. And to your friends who are graduating too, don’t let them slip away. Keep in contact you will need them when you move back for the summer.

13. Do some school traditions, like make a mum or something. Go to your prom and treat it like it is or you will regret it later. Spend money on that one dress you are dying to wear. Don’t stress out for weeks over all the little details. Prom is something you will remember for the rest of your life.

14. It’s okay to cry. Like a lot. It is also okay to be emotional. But it is also okay to not be sad. There are a lot of times this year that the tiny things will be an emotional trigger and the nostalgia will hit you hard but there are also a lot of times when everyone around you is in their feels and you are just excited for the next step in life. No matter what emotion it is it’s okay to feel it because that is the roller coaster of senior year.

15. Last but not least, remember that as an era of your life is coming to a close so is an era of your parents’ life. This means almost more to them than it does you.  They are so proud of you and all they want is to see you succeed. WALK THE STAGE, no really, WALK THE STAGE. It seems like an overbearingly long ceremony but it means the world for your parents. After doing everything in their power to help you these last 12 years of grade school you can sit through a few hour ceremony for them.

I could go on and on of all I have learned this year an how important it is to be yourself and to have so much fun this year but there are some lessons you just have to learn yourself. Have a blast class of 2017! ~ Emily Baskett

P.S. – Don’t forget to scroll down to see some of my high school senior pictures taken in Deep Ellum Dallas Texas. 🙂

My gorgeous mom and I.

15 Things Wish Someone Told Me Before My Senior Year Of High School