Realizations, Changes, Choices

Through out these past several weeks as a senior, I have realized that I haven't done anything at all significant or something that has truly made me proud. Every time I see a question asking to "name one of your greatest accomplishments", I squint in confusion not being able to recall something that stands out. Sure, I've had many times where I've gotten back work and have been greatly surprised and proud of how well I did, but that only lasts for about a day.  Before entering Mayfair as a seventh grader six years ago, I thought to myself that I would do great things and accomplish a lot academically; and that I would try to be friends with everyone.  But that really didn't end up happening.  As a naive and ignorant pubescent teen, I had so many expectations and hopes of what high school would be like.  Now, I look back and think that the teen that I was in seventh grade would be pretty disappointed.  The changes that come with maturity and growing up are difficult.  Everyone is changing through out high school.  They are changing physically and mentally, by collecting pieces that make them who they are along the way.  But these changes don't end once our senior graduation ceremony is over.  They continue and might even become more intense.  I'm not afraid of life after high school.  In fact, I'm excited.  Obviously, not for the immense amount of responsibilities that come quickly as I get older; but for the further knowledge I will gain, not only academically but about myself and everyone in my life. I am excited to welcome failure instead of working so hard to avoid it.  I'm excited to meet new people, people who are like me and that will ease the sadness of leaving old friends behind. I am excited and hopeful of many things. I didn't expect this to turn out so long and I don't really know what I was trying to say with all of this, but this is what I'm thinking at the moment. So good luck to all of you who are working anxiously on your personal statements and college applications. Remember to find time to just breathe.  And remember that getting a post high school education or not getting one is a choice you make.  You can choose what you want to do at any point of your life. Anyway, I hope that whatever all of you end up doing, that you are proud of it and proud of you.