New Directions and New Dreams

Senior year is reputed to be one of the most important and crucial times of a student’s life. The ACT and SAT scores are sent to universities, what seem to be life altering decisions must be made in small fractions of time, and graduation occupies everyone’s mind which makes “senioritis” that much more real. There is no doubt that being a senior is a crucial stepping stone into the next chapter of life that every student must cross into eventually.

It can be exceptionally difficult to answer those phantom questions that usually go something like, “what are you doing next?” Trying to figure out what comes after those most impressionable teenage years, where adolescence and adulthood seem to blend together can be without a doubt difficult. There really doesn’t seem to be one easy answer. The truth is, who really knows what comes next?

Nowadays there seems to be more and more pressure placed on high school students to “get it all figured out,” whether that’s picking a college, choosing a major, or deciding if college is even the correct route. The world is such an open place, and living in the United States provides ample opportunity for everyone to find their passion and make something of it. Though this can be seen as a blessing, it is also a lot of responsibility for a student to think about and ponder over.

Trying to figure out what that next step will actually be is one of the hardest things a high school student has to do. There is uncertainty in almost every direction that can be taken. Sadly, there is no way of knowing whether or not the choices being made that will very well impact the direction of our futures are the right decisions. Up until now teachers have been building us up with the skill sets we’ll need to succeed in life, and come senior year, the wheel is given to the student, and a direction must be taken.

I can attest first hand that being at a crossroads regarding what to do after high school is not easy. There are so many paths that are available to be taken, and they all seem to maintain a consistent level of pros and cons. I’ve often struggled with an internal battle of contemplating what is and what is not the best course of action. My conclusion finally came to this, to be 100% sure on any decision is an unrealistic goal.

I have postponed difficult choices because I often second-guessed my instincts and myself. Trying to reach a state of no hesitations was a waste of time because it simply does not exist.

Throughout high school and throughout life, decisions have and will continue to be made that carry regret. There is almost never one easy choice or one solid direction. What I learned senior year is that opportunities will present themselves and may come with their own set of risks.

When going through life it is important to come to come to terms with the fact that there is no way of knowing if the choices being made are the right ones. Seeking answers that are undoubtedly correct is impossible. Sometimes the right answer simply does not exist.

Throughout life and especially after high school, there is never a wrong time to take chances and try new things. After all, regret often comes from decisions that weren’t made, or chances that weren’t taken.