Quick, Seniors…Before It’s Too Late!

The first month of senior year whizzed by. As the seniors dip their toes into the waters of independence, nostalgic feelings begin to surface. The words “senior” and “college” are a daily occurrence. Soon we will be forced to leave the comfort of our own homes and school, to make our own decisions and establish a new life as mature young adults.

Forced to accept new responsibilities and tasks, we have no choice but to feel like seniors, the top of de Toledo. Many of us have noticed that de Toledo is anxious for change. Why are aspects of our school, like the dress code, improving now, in our final year of high school? What should we have done differently early on?

Looking back on the happy, comical, and challenging moments in their lengthy high school career, five members of the Senior Class share their personal regrets.

Yael sees high school in the bigger picture: that students should refrain from dwelling on insignificant instances such as “one poor test grade or a fight with a friend.” Yael wishes she would have enjoyed her freshman and sophomore years of high school more. She hopes that those who still have time left in high school will not worry so much and appreciate the positive aspects of high school because everything will eventually work itself out.

Gabby has gained a new social perspective from her three years of experience at de Toledo. She regrets that she kept herself closed off for too much of high school. Consequently, Gabby wishes she would have accepted herself and her intuition early on. She believes that listening to herself and being understanding of others are of the utmost importance.

A third senior, Riley, feels that if she could change an aspect of her high school experience, she would have “participated in more extracurricular activities.” Riley encourages more students to be patient, not to experience high school too quickly and to often take advantage of opportunities that are available.

Ryan wishes he would have become engaged in more opportunities outside of school, creating “a healthier balance between school and outside life.”

In retrospect, Sophie would have “branched out more as a freshman,” especially on the retreat. Sophie feels strongly that people must take risks and be uncomfortable at times to discover their complex identity: a main purpose of high school.

There is a common thread bringing these regret testimonies together: openness and being active in searching for new opportunities are vital to growing and beginning to understand who you are. This message is important not only for the Senior Class, but also for the entire student body.

If we, as seniors, can recognize what we should have done differently throughout our time at de Toledo, what is stopping us from achieving these goals? Our regrets can become our accomplishments because we still have time left to make a change.