It is that time of year that High School graduations take place. It is a celebration of the 3-4 years (depending on when you graduated) that you spent in a hopefully meaningful setting. As we look back on our graduations it makes me wonder how so few years can have such a huge impact on our lives.
High School for many people was the highlight of their earlier years and for many others it was the bottomless pit that would never end. For some people it formed lasting relationships and they enjoyed it to be fullest. Other young adults counted the days until they were gone and could get away as fast as possible hoping no one would follow after them.
It amazes me that such a short time in people's lives has such a lasting impact. People I know in their middle years still reminisce about the old days in high school and remember more people from high school than their current neighborhood. If you ask a person in their 40's who their friends were in high school I bet they can name every one of them and with the advent of Facebook they can now keep in touch with everyone they went to school with. Facebook offers an incredible means to "connect" with all those old high school buddies and keep in touch with old friends and what they are doing these days. Many people are friends with people they couldn't stand in high school and act like these people are their long lost best friend. I think it is very amusing to watch all these comments on facebook between people who wanted to beat the crap out of each other during high school.
Today's graduates have an easier time keeping in touch after high school and sometimes that is not always the best thing. There are many things kids would like to forget about those wonderful 4 years and are hoping that many of their fellow students forget them also. I've told many a high school student that you will never forget these years and will refer back to them frequently as you get older. No other groups have as many reunions, get togethers, or informal parties as old high school classes. I for one have attended many of these gatherings and have people I really can't remember act incredibly happy to see me. Everyone always remembers you for what you were like in high school. We remember the kids who were the big partiers (now they are cops), the nerdy kids (the ones with the really high paying jobs), the rough good looking ones (they are your car mechanic), the jocks (the ones who can barely walk today), and all the other ones you can identify.
As high schoolers graduate just remember that I don't think there are 4 years of your life that have such an impact as those of your high school years. Enjoy them while you can because everyone will remember the dumb things you did, the car you drove and who you hung out with. These lasting impressions are one of the many things that will form your relationships with others and if you choose not to move away from your hometown people will always say "I went to school with ___". So remember keep your clothes on (naked pictures are never forgotten), try not to do to many stupid things (people always remember the ones who spray painted their name on the high school wall), don't burn bridges that you can't repair (please don't date your best friends boyfriend behind her back), and remember people will always remember you for how you were in high school.
No comments:
Post a Comment