By London Hayes

Salisbury Post intern

The words “Back to School” often provoke many eye rolls and moans from students. I, too, have been a culprit of this sort of attitude. Many high school students are not ready for the stress of school and do not want to say goodbye to summer.

Yet, this summer I have found myself very eager to return to the campus of South Davidson High, in Denton. Perhaps it’s the feeling of being a “big dog” senior on campus, or the anticipation of upcoming events. However, most of all, I cannot wait to make sentimental memories that will last a lifetime.

With the start of the school year, I will have the privilege of seeing how my high school friends are growing as individuals and deciding what they will be doing for the rest of their lives. I also will have the wonderful opportunity of touring colleges, career shadowing and volunteering— which I began this summer.

More than anything, I also very much look forward to seeing some of my friends and making memories this school year for the last time. I am excited to share classes together and participate in all of the fun extra-curricular activities.

In addition to the excitement I feel, I have experienced a bit of nervousness upon hearing the words “back to school.” As every typical high school student does, I am already beginning to ask myself questions like, “Who will have classes with me,” or, “Who will I sit with at lunch?” Although I know the classes I have requested, there is no guarantee my schedule will align.

Accompanying my senior year of high school comes an array of career preparation work. In addition to my other questions, I also feel myself thinking, “Where will I apply to college,” or, “What will I major in when I make it there?”

Perhaps the most dominant emotion I am feeling and will continue to feel in my upcoming school year is a bit of sadness mixed within intense anticipation. I will be experiencing many “lasts” this year —such as the last homecoming game, the last prom and even the last walk down the hallways of South Davidson High. I am attempting to prepare myself for the many happy tears I will shed in the days to come. While these memories are all bittersweet, I feel pride in knowing my friends and I have made it this far and will go on to accomplish more with our lives.

If I could give one piece of advice to students my age, it would be to minimize the groans and eye rolls when people say the words “back to school.” Cherish every memory you make in high school, because this is a time of your life you can never retrieve. And as Kenny Chesney once said in a country song, “don’t blink,” or you just might miss some of the best days of your life.

London is a rising senior at South Davidson High School who worked this summer as an intern with the Salisbury Post. Her father, Glenn Hayes, practices law in Salisbury.