It’s easy to dream of one’s future. Through countless daydreams and Pinterest boards, I romanticize what my future may entail. The boards are a manifestation that vary from my dream dorm room, to my dream house, to dream vacations, the list goes on. They provide me with inspiration and hope to chase my goals, no matter how far off they may seem.
However, while dreaming of my future, I have glossed over the reality that my present will soon be fading into the past.
I will no longer write in the school’s Clarion, play tennis in the fall, or be squished on buses on the way to track meets. Soon, when someone asks “Where do you attend school,” a foreign response, “I go to Cal Lutheran,” will escape my lips. Moving forward feels unnatural, I need more time. More time to dream about my dorm room, not actually move in it.
I’ve dreaded writing this paper because it forces me to accept that in just a few weeks, my life, routines, and stresses will forever change. However, it’s also helping me realize that I control the narrative of what’s to come. I know that the time to stop dreaming and start taking action is now, and although it’s scary, it’s also empowering.
I will miss so much of Selma High. I will miss the comfortable routine of meeting my friends at break and at lunch. I will miss my teammates and the carefree but passionate environment at practices. I’ll miss much more that I don’t even realize is worth missing at the moment, and I’m sure that’s what’ll hurt the most.
If you’re scared of what’s to await like I am, remind yourself to take life one step at a time. There’s a saying that “Life isn’t a race. It’s a marathon.” It takes discipline, perseverance, and most importantly, patience. It’s paired with a sweet balance of boldness in taking the first step, and it requires courage to continue when life gets hectic. I encourage all, whether you love or hate your time here, to embrace every moment. If you don’t like how your high school year went or is going, you have the control to make the change you want to see.
This leads me to my final piece of advice: find the courage to do what you love. Sometimes it takes trying something new and failing in order to realize failure isn’t as bad as we imagine. With failing we are taught lessons, and in time, failure will transform into success. You’ll never know the people you’ll meet, memories you’ll make, and lessons you’ll learn, unless you try. Although dreaming is safe, making it your reality is sweeter.
My next step in turning my dreams into a reality is by attending Cal Lutheran University, where I’ll be Majoring in Exercise Science, with the ultimate goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist. It’ll be interesting to reflect back and see if this came true and how much growth awaits me, but I’m thankful for my time at Selma High and for the way each day shaped me into the person I am today.
Good luck to my fellow class of 2025 and I look forward to seeing all of our future Pinterest Dreams Boards become our reality.
