Dear Freshman, (pt.1)
By Karis T.
Created in Canva
Dear Fish,
I’ve never been a very sentimental person, but as I near the end of my senior year, I’m finding it harder and harder not to reminisce and look back over the last four years. Everyone tells you, ‘Time flies, so don’t wish it away,’ but you never realize how fast it all happens until it’s in the rear view. Not to mention that no one prepares you for the influx of conflicting emotions that come with closing this chapter. You’re happy about graduating and moving on, but you’re also sad your childhood is ending; you’re excited for what’s to come, but you’re also grieving what you’re losing; you’re looking forward to growing up, but you can’t help being nervous about the future. In the end, I want to leave behind something at NSA that I wish I had had coming in as a freshman: a collection of senior’s experiences to learn from, their highs and lows, their regrets, and the things they were thankful they did.
What is something you’ve learned that you wish you knew coming in as a freshman?
“I wish I would have better understood how fast time flies. I know it’s such a cliche adult thing to say, but it’s totally true—each day drags on, and then before you know it 4 years have gone by. [U]nderstanding how little time I had left would have definitely helped me make the most of my time!”
– Kate
“[T]ime management is so important! It’s easy to get by without a lot of organization when you’re a freshman, but by the time senior year rolls around, you’ll need all that planning skill!”
– Caleb
“Life doesn’t turn out exactly like you thought it would, and that’s okay. You have to remember that while High School is an amazing time in your life, it’s not the be all and end all. You still have so much of your life after this.”
– Rhianna
What is one thing you regret doing during the past 4 years?
“I regret not looking at the bigger picture. There were a couple times in high school where I didn’t take some of the opportunities that I definitely should!…A good amount of worrying about the future and college is healthy, but I definitely obsessed more than I needed to…I wish that I had tried harder to take that balance more seriously.”
– Kate
“I regret putting so much pressure on myself. A little bit of pressure is a good thing because you want to do your best. However, don't be devastated if your best isn't 100%...My "best" is good enough for God, and yours is, too…Don't let your grades define you or control you emotionally. You are God's child, and your identity is in Jesus. [T]he other thing I regret is not reading my Bible every day. As my workload and classes increased, I made school a priority. I saved reading my Bible for after my "necessary" schoolwork. I think it's really important to make God your first priority.”
– Regan
“I think my biggest regret is getting too focused on the work. School, and high school especially, is an opportunity to learn, grow, and stretch yourself. I kinda wish I’d done this more, pushing my boundaries and tried new things.”
– Caleb
“I regret procrastinating and ending up doing school in the summer some years. I [also] regret not putting myself out there more. I waited for people to come to me and to befriend me, but if I had just had the courage to speak up, I think that would have helped a lot.”
– Rhianna
To read Part 2, click here.
Columns: 👤NSA People 🗣️Advice 🔗Companion Articles
Karis T. lives in the Middle East with her parents and two of her three siblings. She’s in her senior year and is going into her fourth year at NSA. She has been dancing for most of her life and is completely in love with the art of ballet and contemporary, and she also works at her studio as a ballet teacher for 3-9 year olds. When she’s not doing school or dancing, she most likely has her nose in a book or is playing guitar. She’s also overtly passionate about health, fitness, and wellbeing and is looking to pursue a career in Physical Therapy in the future.