We are at the end of another glorious year, my friends. Even though the 2019-2020 school year has been very different compared to other years, there is one thing that it has not changed: the seniors.

This year’s seniors are a fun, optimistic, and intellectual group. They are dedicated to their work, sports, and outside activities. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are unable to watch their fellow peers graduate.

 Nevertheless, these seniors have had a great time and adventure at the high school. Many have found their one true calling for a certain sport or academic subject, while others are still looking and observing what they may want to do. Whatever it may be, they certainly had a journey and throughout that journey, plenty of lessons learned. 

Those lessons may not have been monumental or life changing. They might have just been small mistakes that helped make better future decisions. Either way, the advice the seniors give is important and helpful to have, even if it’s small.

Matthew Fusillo says that people should “enjoy everything while it lasts” and if someone is “unsure about whether or not you should do a school activity, try it out.”

After all, take the chance while you can. The worst case scenario is that you don’t like it. If you do end up liking the school activity, then it’s a good thing you took the chance. Either way, you made some sort of memories that you would forever remember.

On the subject of making memories, many people may find it hard to enjoy being in the moment. This is especially difficult when worrying about upcoming school projects, tests, games, and other extracurricular activities. 

School and life are only going to become more difficult, so we have to be grateful and take the moments we can.

Tian Qin agrees: “It’ll go by much quicker than you think and it truly is a super fun time filled with lots of learning. Goes by in the blink of an eye though.”

Yet, as we continue through our high school days, making memories and taking chances, many can’t help but come into a fork in the road. 

Sometimes the fork in the road can impact your life in big or small ways. Do I study for this test, or that test? Should I go to the optional practice, or not? Should I choose this school, or that one? Can I complete this in one night or should I start it early?

Qin knows the difficulty of making decisions, and according to him, the people who gave him this advice did too. He says that you “should flip a coin and whichever side [you are] hoping for the coin to land on when it’s in the air is the choice [you] want.”

That piece of advice is not only good for everyone, but also the more indecisive people who have trouble sorting out what they believe is more important.

Alexa Reynolds, however, doesn’t need a coin to tell her what’s important:  “Don’t worry about the little things like a bad grade because in the end you probably won’t even remember it, speaking from experience.” 

She also recommends that you “go all out for spirit week, even if you’re the only one. Dance the night away at prom and have the best time at prom weekend. Cherish these 4 years with your family and friends! Spend all the time you can with the people who make you smile and make memories that will last you a lifetime!”

In other words, be a part of every moment and of every little celebration. Don’t regret missing out on something because you were too nervous to take the chance.

However, you do need to find a balance, and figure out how to manage yourself and your time.

Jarod Chan says that it is important to “plan ahead. Don’t take too many AP classes or do more than you are capable. Stressing out about those classes is not fun. Try to figure out what you want to do by the end of your sophomore year.”

As a final note that Chan, Reynolds, Qin, and Fusillo can all agree on, make sure you stay well rounded and focused. Don’t be afraid to take chances on things you may end up regretting, but don’t try to overachieve or overdo something. A good balance of social and school life will make your high school experiences so much more memorable. 

Thank you to all of the 2020 New Providence High School seniors. We all wish you the best of luck in the future and are very grateful for the memories you have made with us.