This week, I will graduate. The previous week has been crazy, from trying on hundreds of dresses to finally finding the one that fits me. The last several months have been an emotional rollercoaster, looking at my friends and realising the value of the time we spent together from grade 7 to 11. As I think about it, creating paper planes and writing gossip on them and throwing them around class, hurrying to school merely to chat about the latest drama between two girls, and now saying goodbye to everyone who is important to us.
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But as life progressed, and a part of me matured into a giant philosopher after studying literature for 5 years, I realised the most important technique life teaches is the art of letting go. I used to believe that school would drive me insane. Cause, let's be honest, the stress of homework and all of the deadlines, the tasks that must be perfect since they contribute to your grade, standing in front of class to present, although you never wanted to. That pizza in the school canteen with no melted cheese on top, yuck!
In today's environment, everyone is competing with each other. Who is the best in high school? Who dresses better?
Eventually, it comes down to who has a better job. Who has the better house? Who has the better social life? Who attended a better university? We live our lives in constant comparison. Life is over when we recognise we should not have compared ourselves and lived to show off. It is too late. But then I sit down and realise how times have changed, those times when I used to rush to school early to sit down with my friends and finish our homeworks together, or when I would present in front of the class but couldn't speak because I was laughing so hard because my friends were laughing back, or that stress when my friends and I would review each other's assignments and work to ensure our teachers graded us correctly. I can't help but wonder what the future holds for me.
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It's about the moments I shared and lived for. Today, as I graduate, I have no regrets. Bad grades, too many enemies, never staying at home but instead going out and playing, and just being mischievous and pulling my teacher's legs.
It's about those times when I was kicked out of class and stood in the corridor with my buddies. See, these moments create memories, and they are the foundation of everything we accomplish. The lessons, experiences, and emotions that flowed during that time. I suppose life has more in store for me, and all I want to do is live in the moment. I want to be myself and enjoy every aspect of it.
When I tried on my graduation gown, which by the way was one of the most amazing dresses I've ever tried on, it wasn't about how pretty I looked or how the high slit made me look like Kendal Jenner; it was the emotions that overwhelmed me. This is how I felt. I understand how difficult it is to continue reading what someone is feeling, but this is my reflection of the experience I had.
It's something that anybody can relate to, and perhaps an insignificant advice for everyone in school that it's a good idea to enjoy school. I know it sounds strange, but I'm going to miss that pizza, because no one will ever serve me raw, unmelted cheese on pizza ever again.
Life will be full of ups and downs, and all I want to do is live in the moment, appreciate the emotional turbulence, and reap the benefits of achievement. Whatever that might be. This week, I'm preparing for the biggest milestones of my life, not because they define you; what defines you is the courage of conviction, insightful words from Elle Woods, and courage of conviction in life.
That is all that matters. Because this moment marks the end of one chapter for me and the beginning of another. No one knows what will come next, but whatever it is, I believe I am prepared, I guess?
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