As the school year draws to an end, and seniors all begin to let go of the stress that has weighed down on us all year — no, for these past four years. Carrying the hope and fear given to us by parents, balanced by the rigor and preparation by our teachers as we sent off those dozens of college applications, juggled the rigor of our classes all for that sweet, sweet acceptance letter. We are done, and we can, for a little bit, catch our breath. 

Regardless of whether you are scared to go off to a distant place, resentful that you did not get into your dream school, or cannot wait to get out of here, or are content to stay here. Perhaps you will forget everything that happened here as soon as you get the diploma, or perhaps you will feel stuck, unable to convince yourself that you did not peak in high school (Side note: You did not peak in high school.) Wherever the rest of us go, we will be far apart. Maybe you will stay in the Bay Area, or you will see the brave, brave frontiers beyond boba drinks and the Apple headquarters. Our futures, from this point on, are a half-finished painting waiting for us to pick up the brush. 

There is no denying that college, as an institution, is very glamorized. I know that. You know that. We all know that, and yet we continue to pour our hearts and dreams into our applications, forking over our hard-earned money for the privilege of being told “we are sorry that we are unable to offer you admission.” Regardless of this, regardless of whether you got into your dream college or are stuck going to your safety, it is important to remember: College— good, bad, exciting or difficult — is just one season of our lives, and there are many more beyond it.