“How do you know when you’re growing up?”
If you weren’t aware, almost most seniors at AHS, and around the world for that matter, are beginning or nearing the end of their college application process. This is a complicated time of writing supplemental essay questions, researching undergraduate size, and making sure the location of the school has the right weather. However, what has been left out of the conversation are the words “Side effects may include”.
“You may experience dizziness, nausea, or headaches”. Once you start the process of deciding where you are going to spend the next four years of your life you start to experience an assortment of what I like to refer to as side effects. Just like any medication commercial you have seen advertised on your TV or streaming service, there is always a slight chance that you will undergo “side effects”. I happen to have hit a few along the way. If you’re lucky enough you might not feel what may be included during this time, but I can assure you, if you’re not feeling the head ache, then someone else around you sure is.
“If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical advice”. So here is how I discovered my complications. Before taking this series of operations, I knew it was important to consult with those who have dealt with it before. When you’re the oldest in the school, let’s be honest, it’s not as fun. You are no longer looking for your cute but slightly intimidating upperclassman crush in the hallway but instead surrounded by a grade that feels like family. Consequently, you quickly jump to the conclusion that you’re too cool for school and you wish you could be hanging out with your friends who graduated already and are enjoying their freshman college experience. This brought along the jumping side effect. Where your body is quickly jumping to the idea of bigger, better, and new dreams that the future holds.
“Call the headline for more details on potential side effects”. Side effect number two, the thrill. Simply doing things for the thrill of it. This is when you start to realize you will only get one more first of everything in high school. First day of school, first football game, and first test you flunk – kay, maybe some things should stay undocumented. With the idea that you won’t ever get a first in high school again comes wanting to enjoy each moment and savor the excitement of high school fun. You might start to wonder why you have never gotten to know certain people in your grade or think about how you treated others throughout your last three years. This will make you want to go to as many group gatherings as possible.
“Always read the label and follow instructions carefully”. Now brings my least favorite of all. This starts to occur when the leaves change their colors or when you go home to your parents cooking dinner. At this point, you have already had the idea in the back of your mind that you’re not going to be with your friends forever. Yet, we seem to always forget that we won’t always be living with our parents. And while yes, at a certain age, the appeal of living with your parents becomes a little concerning, I think that 18 is too soon to think about closing that chapter. Realizing that you have already lived the portion of your life where you spend every night eating a meal surrounded by your siblings, your parents, and even your pets in the house becomes saddening. And the impression that even in the next 30-plus years you probably will not even get to half the number of quality time spent with your family. I call this side effect: No thank you, as every time it reappears I immediately want to stop my process.
“Use only as directed”. The No thank you usually brings us to side effect number 4. This is where nostalgia comes along. An emotion that always rips out a piece of my heart without asking. Instead of looking at kids fishing, I imagine my dad and I sitting, and wearing my pink bucket hat for over an hour trying to catch a fish. He would hold me on his lap sure that if a fish were to bite he would save me from being pulled in. Or when I am sorting through my clothes to declutter, I stumble upon a pair of plastic princess high heels that I would throw on during dress-up. The sparkle of pink shoes takes me back to the feeling of fairy tales and believing in magic but then the sparkle disappears with some sort of water in my eye that always reappears whenever I’m sad. I believe most people would call this side effect crying but I am too proud to admit that. Unfortunately, this is the most common side effect of all, and the last one I have undergone in my own process this fall. I know there will continue to be more and more as the process continues but quite frankly I didn’t sign up for this.
“For more details on how to get started”. So I keep wondering why there is no warning label in the common app for the long list of side effects, but I am no longer wondering how I know when I am growing up. Maybe this whole rollercoaster of emotions thing is a right of passage, but it sure is one I forgot to buckle up for. I, along with everyone else in the ripe ages of sixteen to eighteen years old, want to withdraw from these side effects but know that we cannot quit something that will better us for the future. So for those of you who have made it to the end of this article, here is your warning label. Take that what you will as it is the only one you’re gonna get. Best of luck to each and every one of you, and enjoy this journey.
