From Jackson to Indianola Elementary to middle school to high school. These pivotal years of my life are soon going to just be memories for me to cherish forever. I never thought I’d be sitting here writing about this as a senior. I never thought I would ever be 18. It just seemed too far away, but here I am writing this as an adult.
I honestly don’t remember anything from preschool so I’ll skip that part. Jackson Elementary is next. I remember running laps like crazy for the Century Club and getting blisters from the monkey bars. (I have beef with Jackson. iykyk)
Anyways, I was then at Indianola. I loved Miss Bell’s class and wish I could relive it again. I just love my Indianola teachers. Oh, I still remember when I popped the umbrella in my eye on the UC Merced field trip. I got a black eye and remember someone thinking it was makeup. Like hello??? Anyways, I also made friends there that I’m still friends with today. Love to my Day 1’s: Joanne, Evanie, and Alexis.
Then came middle school. I still remember how Mr. Smith got mad at my class like every day and that became his first and last year working there (I wonder why). I will also never forget the daily debriefs I would have with my friends during lunch near the office. I don’t know why we chose the bench near the office. Then came Covid-19 to change our lives forever and that transitioned into high school.
Freshman year was literally on Zoom so what else can I even say? I remember Mr. Castle getting mad when nobody would turn on the cameras and then I would timidly turn mine on.
10th grade was so fun. I remember spending time in P.E. just laughing. I will remember Filkins always trying to somehow get me to talk every day in math. Poor Filkins. He tried a lot, and now he’s doing the same with my sister.
Then came my junior year, that year went by a breeze. I remember going to Prom. That was my studious era. That was also the fastest year of my life, but how can I fail to remember my ten-times faster senior year?
I still don’t believe that I’m a senior graduating in a few months. The first day of school feels like yesterday. I made many memories with my friends this year. Not to forget that I became friends with a foreign exchange student, Maja. I don’t think that was on my bingo card for 2023. Senioritis is real though. As much fun as I had, I was equally stressed out because I had a whole life to live after high school and had to take the first step now. I’m currently at the point where I can’t put in the same entire effort and dedication in school as I did before.
Overall, high school was such an experience. It will be around three years of having lunch in Filkins’ classroom. Now that’s saddening.
Anyways, some advice I can give to the underclassmen is whatever you do, think about it carefully. In no time, you will be seniors. If you are burnt out by all you do, maybe reduce your load next year, whether in academics or sports. You need to take time out of your day for yourself. Don’t lose yourself. If you feel like you have a lot of free time, maybe try something new and challenge yourself. Honestly, just keep it real with yourself and prioritize your happiness first.
