Grab your cap and gown – it will be graduation season soon!

Before you know it, Jostens will be here, practices will start, and stores will be putting up graduation gifts. Graduation is an exciting time in a person’s life, especially a high school graduation. When you leave, everyone is going their separate ways; but will continue having one thing in common: you’re a Rocket for life, and you’re going to go out into this world and make a difference.

“The highlight of my high school was being able to grow as a person and have so many different opportunities,” senior Briana Gonzales said. “My favorite moment that I will remember most was being accepted into the radiology internship. I was so determined to get accepted, and when I finally went through the process and got accepted, it just made everything so worth it.”

High school is a time when you grow and mature. Most of you will not be able to procrastinate in the real world: turning papers in late, being late for jobs, and not paying bills on time. Graduation is a day that you will choose whether or not to change your old ways and look ahead to the future, or continue to let America believe we are “the slacker generation.”

As you head into the upcoming chapters of your life, you’re bringing your knowledge, memories and friends with you wherever you go, making the bad times tolerable and the good times better. As you go along your journey, be the person that doesn’t sit on the sidelines, but always puts forth the effort to make a difference.

“My high school experience has been great and has definitely helped me out socially and logically,” senior Aaron Cox said. “I think that it has mostly opened a lot of doors and options for me to follow through so long as I try.”

High school and college are both educational grounds for a student to grow and enhance their lives with knowledge. The transition from high school to college can be exciting, yet challenging. Both social and academic life in college will be remarkably different from high school. Some say students will either adjust to the new condition or struggle with it.

Nevertheless, a well prepared student will be able to be successful in the long run when they know the differences in time management, personal freedom and studying skills applied in high school and college.

“As I go on with my life, I face many challenges and new situations that I have to deal with. After graduating, I’m going to go to college and get a job. I’m going to have to learn how to balance the two and deal with new responsibilities. It won’t be easy, but I’ll eventually get the hang of it,” senior Gaby Santizo said.

You will have the opportunity to go out into the world and use the time wisely, to better yourself, but your friends, families, communities and society. Either way, you need to acknowledge where you are. You may find that your high school years were well spent. You stand on the brink of a new chapter in your lives. Take a moment to reminisce and appreciate just how far you’ve all come.

Congratulations seniors, take in senior year, and be aware that graduation will come… quick.