Student Stories: Where'd All the Time Go?

Editor’s Note: OSPI aims to elevate the authentic experiences of the students in Washington’s K–12 public schools. This story was written by a Washington state high school student participating in OSPI’s Student Stories Program. The author’s opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints do not necessarily reflect those of OSPI, and publication of this story does not constitute OSPI’s approval or endorsement of its contents. With questions, please contact OSPI’s Communications team at commteam@k12.wa.us.

As I stared at my Google Calendar, I was faced with the one dark blue box in the midst of my many pink to-dos: “Graduation.” T-10 days. For months everything has felt so transitional, but to what I’m still a bit unsure of. I recently opened a time capsule I made with my friends several years ago. We wrote letters to our future selves, but what happens now that that future has realized itself? Our lives have waited for this moment, but what am I working towards anymore? The road I’ve been traveling has led to this, and as I reach this point all I am faced with is uncertainty of what comes after. What is the next goal?

I am learning to accept that everything happens for a reason. I began down this offshoot of my idealized path on March 14, the day I was waitlisted from my two dream schools. Now, months later, I have been formally rejected from both. What is meant to be will be. I’ve always dreamt of a school in the city—Seattle, Boston, or anywhere else that may be. I dreamt of getting lost in the midst of 40,000 other students, but as of right now I have put down an enrollment deposit at a “city” school of 7,500 students. What is meant to be will be. There is something to learn from this, something to take away. I am still learning to accept this new reality, and trying my very hardest to make the best of the time I spend at college before attempting to transfer.

The lead-up to the end feels so transitional for any graduating high school senior. My friends and I shed tears over ends and new beginnings. We just had our final banquet, and as we received our varsity letters and donned our new cords, our eyes welled while smiles still crossed our faces. Everything is beautifully bittersweet. Change is inevitable but that does not make it easy. Despite the difficulties, there is still hope. Hope for a beautiful life that is yet to come. Hope fostered by the unlimited possibilities of paths to take from here to my new future self.