Teens: Don't try to grow up too fast

As May has crept up on us, I have noticed an influx of social media updates from high school students I used to work with and used to baby-sit, talk about how they just can't wait to graduate.

I can't help but giggle, knowing I was there not so long ago. I couldn't wait to get out of high school, move out of my parents' house and start a life of my own.

Since I'd quit playing basketball to work close to full-time and juggle schoolwork, high school just seemed pointless and I was ready to move on to bigger and better things.

I've since learned high school was the time of my life, even though I did come close to failing my first class during my senior year. That D in pre-calculus just about broke my heart.

Yes, I had bills to pay back then, and many weekends were consumed with late nights running a fast food drive thru, but I had some of the best friends.

We were "The Four" (simple yet elegant, right?). If one of us were missing from the group a series of questions came from whomever we would come across on our weekend rendezvous.

We were a random bunch from very different families and backgrounds, brought together by a similar love of acting downright silly.

Our group would expand from time to time, but in the end it was always Jessica, Dusty, Sam and I.

Our weekends were mostly spent wasting gas in the confines of Greene-Sullivan Forest, getting lost in the woods and our conversations.

We had no destination but juvenile bliss.

We have since grown apart, leaving only Sam and I remaining in Greene County.

I left town a couple times searching for this new life I dreamed of in my final year of high school, full of new friends, college parties and a carefree life.

Boy, was I wrong.

Someone posted on a friend's Facebook page recently, "Don't worry, life after college isn't that bad. You get to look forward to things like coupons, Social Security, a bedtime, and senior citizen discounts ... nevermind ... it is that bad."

I laughed so hard because my sister and I had recently done some coupon clipping, and I'd been teased about my 9 p.m. bedtime.

In my defense, I am just compensating for those years in college where nighttime was filled with work, essays and math assignments.

Now that college is over the bills just continue to pile up with school loans and big girl worries. I haven't even bought a new pair of pants in a year.

Don't try to grow up too fast. Once it is all over you will miss your friends as they move away, and the nearly carefree life you enjoy now.

I know it doesn't seem like it's all that great now, but give it time.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com or by telephone at 847-4487.