One of the most bittersweet experiences I’ve had so far has been my senior year. It’s the moment we’ve been preparing for these last 14 years, and even though I am glad to finally be here, I can’t shake the awful feeling of having to say goodbye.

 

The sad part of leaving school comes from how much we’ve made it our home; senior year isn’t just about college applications, final projects, or getting your IB diploma. It’s also about becoming the role models we used to look up to. It is the best moment to reflect on all we’ve grown, the people we’ve met, and the things we’ve learned. We’re now the ones the little girls in lower grades watch with wide eyes, wondering what it’s like to wear the senior jacket or get the senior Zarza. Suddenly, we’re giving advice, guiding our younger friends, and shaping the memories others will carry for years.

 

However, that does not mean we have no one to guide or look up to. After all, we’re still students, and teachers are still our teachers. It is surprising how close we grew to them. Somewhere along the way, they stop being the people who grade our papers. They became mentors, confidants, and even friends. As you come close to leaving school, you realize how even teachers from your least favorite subjects see your struggles and celebrate your academic and personal victories. And without realizing it, we start learning more than just the content in the curriculum—we learn about resilience, empathy, and who we want to become. 

 

Now that I’m in my senior year, I walk through the same hallways I’ve walked through most of my life, and I am glad I have my second home in them. Everything feels the same, but somehow different. Maybe it’s because we know that soon we’ll be saying goodbye. We start to notice all these little things we’ve gotten used to, like seeing all our classmates and teachers, children running around, stressed girls studying for their finals, general services staff greeting us, and our classrooms and uniforms. 

 

But that’s the thing about senior year, you realize school isn’t only about your daily routine, but rather about the people and experiences that intervene in that routine and build up the version of yourself that will soon be graduating. I like to think that being a senior is a perfect balance between nostalgia and hopefulness. It can be about learning from others or allowing others to learn something from you. A time of looking back, while still stepping forward.

 

So here’s to being a senior and grateful for all that it implies.