Advice from a high school senior: don’t hold back

"Being a senior in high school has its advantages, but growing up is scary," says Colony High School senior Corissa Baker.

As a junior and even as an underclassman, I heard this talk about how great and fun it is to be a senior.

Well, I was trying my best to prepare for that soon-to-be year by getting testing done, searching colleges, writing essays, a ton of homework and getting core classes out of the way - all while balancing a part-time job, president of my choir, church, sports and being with family and friends. It was not easy.

My mindset for senior year was that it would be a breeze, time would fly by and I'd be walking across that stage sooner than I knew it.

Was I right?

Well, time has definitely flown by since August, but I was so wrong about it being a breeze and stress-free.

So here it is, senior year, second semester. Getting ready for graduation and meeting all the requirements to walk across that big stage is the main focus.

Then there is that one question everybody asks constantly: "So, what are you planning to do after school?"

Well, for me, I'm planning to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage with my best friend and work my way up for a two-year degree in nursing. Fellow classmates I know are getting engaged, starting families or even going straight to work after school.

Ironic, isn't it? I have mixed feelings about all of this; graduating, college, being pushed into the world in a matter or four short months.

I am excited about completing a milestone in my life, but nervous to be on my own for the first time and nervous to begin college. It's all a learning experience.

This year has been a great year. It has not always been easy, but it's definitely worth it. I'm excited for what the rest of this year has to offer with friends and family, doing sports, senior prom, to see my portrait in the senior section of the yearbook and to make new and lifelong memories. This is the last four months of my childhood and I'm ready to enjoy every single moment of it.

For those who will follow in our footsteps as seniors, I offer this advice. Keep pursuing you're dreams and goals because you never know where the road might take you. Even if you think school is sometimes boring and you don't like it, don't slack off. Work hard, do your best, ask questions and see improvement, because in the long run all your hard work will pay off.

And always remember, procrastination equals bad. If you see yourself taking on too much, you have the power to say "no."

Oh, and have fun! This is only a small drop in the sea of forever.

Class of 2012, let's rock the rest of this school year!

Kayla Kushin is a Colony High School senior.