As the great film We’re the Millers once said, “No Ragrets.” However, I have lived life with plenty. 

As my days left as a high-school student count down, I have found myself beyond excited for what the future has in hold for me, as well as tremendously nostalgic about all that came with the past. There is so much to do in high school, and as I feel I have lived through a very full experience, I also feel there is so much I regret doing, or in my case not doing.

I regret not being involved as an underclassman.

I went to maybe 1 sporting event my freshman year other than those I played in. Though you feel as if those events aren’t ‘your place,’ you learn to sit in the back and cheer for the athletes. Or you go and sit in the back with your friends gossiping about the dress you got for homecoming. I now realize that asking my parent to take me to a game isn’t as embarrassing as I thought it was. I missed out on so many dances, games, and memories because I was afraid of looking weird and feeling like I was imposing on the upperclassmen fun.

I regret not trying more.

There are so many activities I contemplated joining but decided against. I could have joined art even though I am terrible at it! I could have done more shows because I love our theater program. I could have joined the many clubs at Air Academy who help better the school and community that I chose not too, all because I worried I wouldn’t know anyone. I could have done DECA sooner, or Basketball, and made so many friends.

I regret not telling teachers how much they mean to me.

Teaching is not an easy job, and I know I took for granted the good teachers. I didn’t thank the history teachers that inspired my love for the subject and those that made learning about treaties and the monarchy fun. I didn’t thank the math teacher who sat with me through countless lunches, pushing me to be the best math student I could be, who celebrated my highest test score with me. I didn’t thank the elective teacher that ended up as friends and mentors, and those that encouraged me to try new things. I didn’t thank the english teachers who helped me find my small mistakes and who showed me how much meaning can really be hidden in a novel.

I regret not putting in enough effort into relationships.

All relationships fall apart without care and energy: something I only recently learned. Whether friends or boyfriends/girlfriends, a relationship without a constant awareness of the others needs tends to crumble. I regret not reaching out to friends to hang out, rather than waiting for them to do so. I regret thinking too much about the future and planning too far ahead. I regret not telling my friends that I love them, and I regret being too stubborn to admit my mistakes.

While I may have made these mistakes, you don’t have to. Reach out to those friends and appreciate the teachers who have made a difference in your life. Remember that you only have these four years once.