Whenever I would think about graduating high school, the first words that would come to my mind were always “see ya suckers.”  And even now, amidst all my misty eyed, nostalgic classmates, I am not even slightly sad about graduating in a few weeks.

I know this is pretty harsh, and when people talk about graduating you expect them to drone on about the great times with friends, or how they are going to be so sad leaving everyone. I am not one of these people. I could lie; say high school was great, I made some amazing friends, I had some great time, and I am sad it has to end. But considering I am graduating in 15 days (exactly), I don’t see why I shouldn’t be completely honest here.

I am not saying here that I had a bad time in high school, because I did make some amazing friends, and I did have some great times. But for the most part, I found my high school experience to be astoundingly underwhelming. Maybe it’s because I have absolutely no school spirit, or maybe it’s because I wasn’t one of the “popular” people. I don’t know.

So now, I am trying to force even an ounce of nostalgia on myself just so I don’t feel even more alienated from my classmates. However, as this little narrative points out; I am not very successful. I have tried thinking about all the ‘last’s and the ‘never again’s, but all I feel is relief.

I have always described life in Verona as life in a fishbowl. Everyone knows everyone and everything about them. Maybe this is why I am so keen to get out of here; because I am a completely different person than I was four years ago. I need to be someone else; to go somewhere where everyone hasn’t already formed an opinion of me. I need to go somewhere where I haven’t already formed opinions of everyone around me.

I think the reason everyone always gets all nostalgic about leaving high school is because this is a major wake up call. Once we accept that diploma, we are really and truly adults, and on our own. We have no one helping us along, making sure we get good grades, go to class, make friends, etc. Some people have relied on that through their entire lives; that cushion of protection from the harshness of the real world. Now, we have to be grown up, whether we are really ready for it or not.

I know all this makes me sound pretty bitter about high school, but looking back on it all, I can’t even remember why I disliked it so much; only that I did. However, I am sad that times are changing; nothing will ever be the same again. But as much as this terrifies me, I am so eager to start my life. So for all those who do possess the same nostalgia and sadness I lack, just remember that when one thing ends, a hundred other things will begin.