As fall is rapidly approaching, students all over North America are returning to their busy school lives. Recent high school graduates are realizing how easy they had it in high school, and seniors can’t wait to get out of that very place. For those of you who are in my position - recently graduated and yet to enroll in post secondary, you’re probably unsure of what to do next, and feeling remotely frightened by your sudden freedom.I was so excited to have a year to ‘figure my life out’, while working and traveling, that I didn’t even think of how things could have played out. Now, not even a week into September, I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on something huge. I’ll never get the opportunity to move into dorms for the first time with my friends, nor will I get to go to uni parties. Sure, going to school is about learning, but I feel as if I’m missing out on the social part more than anything else. This now leaves me questioning, as my friends trickle off and leave me one by one, was taking a year off really a good choice?
Despite my uneasy state and sudden lack of a social life, I have a strong feeling that taking a year off is indeed, still in my best interest. I spent a large majority of high school stressed out about learning as I have a learning disability, altogether resulting in a difficult time in the school scene. This lead me to believe a year to de-stress was the right thing to do. Now, even though I’m unsure of whats going to happen in the next 8 months, I’m aware of the fact that I do and will have so many opportunities unfolding in front of me.
My advice to those of you who can relate to the shock of no longer having the school system as a part of your routine- Don’t think about the separation between you and your friends, the fact that you’re not going to school, and mostly, don’t feel hopeless. Take every day as it comes, say yes to the opportunities that appear and just live your life. Be bold in who you are, and make irrational decisions. This is your time to screw up, learn from your mistakes, and get right back up again. You can return to learning at any time, as school will always be there, however you’re only young once. So live life, and take your time off one day at a time.
Written by: Abigail Burns