Class of 2018, finally! You’re seniors! It seemed like this time would never come, this perfect limbo between responsibility and freedom. You’re so close. You’re so, so close, which can be both intimidating and electrifying all at once. You’ve got a year to live and also to figure things out, which is a lot on your shoulders. So from those of us on the outside looking in, here’s a bit of advice:

“To be successful in life, you need to do a lot of drawing.” (Dee’Anese, age 6)
Think back to when you were in kindergarten, when the world was this beautiful, scary place you were just starting to explore. The greatest medium for this hopeless wonder was always a crisp piece of computer paper and a box of Crayola markers. This creativity was what made life seem vibrant, almost as colorful as that 64-pack of crayons that got your heart beating out of your chest. Harbor that every day. Write a poem. Paint a picture. Whatever you do, don’t ever lose that need to create, because we can all agree the world looks a bit prettier when adorned with imagination.

“Never give up on that big dream.” (Tiffany, age 11)
You’re about to step into the scariest transition of your life: adulthood. This is a big jump, yes, but remind yourself that the decisions you make now are not always the end-all-be-all. Remember the dreams you had when you were young, whether you wanted to be an actress, a doctor, or an astronaut. These ideas weren’t far-fetched then, and it’s in your hands to mold them into reality, whether that be now or thirty years down the line. Dreams don’t ever die, so grab life by the reigns and just go for it.

“You will learn and grow no matter what you are doing, just so long as you have purpose.” (Grace, age 19)
You might have outside influence from society, your parents, your teachers, or your friends to fulfill some sort of predetermined routine. It’s perfectly okay to take your time and explore your options. Take everything as a learning experience, and ultimately search for your own happiness. You are the one that has to live your life day by day, so if you’re more interested in fashion design than mathematics, it’s nobody’s place to divert you off your own personal path.

“Embrace every opportunity. Take part in everything – dances, events, everything. Because you’re going to look back and wish you’d done even more.” (Stephanie, age 44)
This is your last year of high school. Your last first day of school is over, but you have Homecoming and football games and Prom and Grad Night. Enjoy the classes you have alongside your friends and having everybody within driving distance, because this could very well be the last time. Take advantage of your time together. Take advantage of the fact that people are working hard to give you this time together. In fifty years, you’re going to remember watching your school football team score that final touchdown with five seconds left on the clock over a night in watching Netflix. Netflix will be there for you when you get home. The memories only give you one chance.

“Time. It’s all you have, so use it wisely.” (Linda, age 77)
You have a whole lifetime ahead of you. Years to fall in love, to travel, to write that book you always wanted to, to jump off that waterfall, to make money, to spend money. But one day, you won’t. You’ll look back and wonder where the time went, and how it went so quickly. This is your opportunity to take advantage of the memories you make and what you’ll have to look back on when your time grows lesser. Fill your life with exhilaration and thrills in the years that you have. There’s no better time than now.

“Live simply so that others can simply live.” (Buelah, age 96)
You don’t need much. In the end, what you have is happiness, hope, health, and the reassurance that your life has been lived to the fullest. There are others who do not have these guarantees. Remember this as you seek adventure and laughs with your friends. Everybody is trying as hard as you are on their individual paths. Spread kindness to make it a little bit easier for everyone.

Enjoy this year, because it belongs to you, as do all the years in your future. Thrive off of your youth while you hold it, and always keep a childlike curiosity. You have time, but don’t waste it. Ultimately, the age to experience everything and everyone is right now.
Take it in. Breathe. Take it in a little more.
Class of 2018, this year and in all the years to come, we’re rooting for you.