As the handful of days come creepin’ up behind us, they slap us right in the face and open our eyes. Seniors, this is it. The last real week of school began April 29. Then there’s Prom May 4, then senior skip day May 6, then there’s finals. Next thing you know you’re walking across the stage, shaking Principal Joe Gilhaus’ hand and walking off to the rest of your life.

Senioritis is defined as being sick of high school. But are we really sick of high school? Or do we enjoy the idea of not having seven classes a day anymore, not having to worry about turning in that essay, or passing that test? What about the idea of not seeing your friends or even acquaintances you only associate with during school?

I personally am done with the idea of high school just due to the fact of not having to see the people I cannot stand . But I can’t stand the thought of not seeing my friends every day. Between work, my family life, and my personal needs, it gets complicated to try and see them already. That’s what school’s for.

And what happens when we all go to different colleges and move away from our parent’s? We’ll have bills to pay and jobs that we’ll have better relationships with than our beds. It’ll be time to grow up. So let’s hope you savour these last couple of weeks, because this is it.

Honestly, ; five years down the road, how many of these people do you think you’re going to keep the same relationship with? I hear so many high school stories from people who’ve already graduated recently and they barely know who the people in their classes are at now. It would be a fairytale ending to keep in touch with the people you are so close to now and try and make your goals a success. Everything you talked about doing when you’re done with high school is a reality and it’s time to make it happen.

Not only are you giving up the friends, but the dances, the games, the time it’s OK to act like “a teenager.” When they hand you you’re diploma you’ve got to figure out what you want to do with your life, what’ll make you happy. What’ll make you a living.

Let’s face it. You’re not going to want to live with your parents forever. You don’t want to work at the mall all your life. Senior year is about growing up, really. We’re the upperclassmen that have worked hard enough to earn the respect and the fun we’re privileged with. This was our year to enjoy the little things high school has to offer. Honestly, when will you ever wear a formal dress again besides prom? When will you ever stand in a cafeteria lunch line for smoothies? When will you hear a minute bell to let you know to hurry up and get to class?

Graduation means freedom, to some people. But, are we losing more than we’re gaining? With graduation comes a job, then a car, then moving out, which has bills and self support. It’s scary.