Fourth Semester

For seniors, it’s our last semester of high school, and we’re on the verge of leaving for “real college.” Many of us are taking relaxed schedules this semester to give ourselves a break from the marathons that have been the previous three semesters. It seems that each of the past three semesters had something which made them…interesting. In the first semester, we were all just trying to acclimatize to our new setting and make new friends. In the second semester, we were occupied with schedules full of CPS and other work-intensive courses. In the third semester, some of us were busy pouring our soul into college applications. However, things feel different this time around. Having more relaxed schedules, many seniors are using their newfound time for other endeavors. Personally, I’m trying to maintain my mental and physical health, for I allowed both of these things to decline during my junior year (especially during my second semester). A friend of mine is using her spare time to do productive activities that she previously didn’t make time for, such as listening to podcasts and reading more often. Furthermore, it’s almost as if my classmates and I are waiting for a change of pace from our current setting, but we also can’t help but use this last semester to reminisce on our entire Gatton experience. It feels like move-in day wasn’t that long ago, yet it also feels like we have delved into a monotonous way of life that we need to break out of.

We are in a gray area right now. We completed our college applications last semester, and we’re currently in a waiting period to find out where we will end up next year. This is a time full of uncertainty for the future and reflection on the past, but we must be sure to enjoy the present as well.