It’s that time of year: Freshmen and Sophomores await their ascent in the high school ranks, Juniors prepare for their final year of high school and Seniors have their minds far beyond the walls of Trinity. Well, mostly. 

I myself am eager to move on to the next phase of my life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some hesitation about moving on from high school. 

So, for my final advice, here’s What Chelsea Would Do: moving on edition. 

If you’re feeling nervous to leave the familiar routine of high school, take comfort in the knowledge that almost everyone is having the same experience. But, that doesn’t mean it’s any easier to overcome. 

My main tip is to focus toward the future. Make a list of all the things you’re looking forward to, even if they seem like small things.

If you’re going straight to the workforce and you aren’t sure what to expect, reach out to someone from your company or someone you know in a similar job. Ask them any questions you might have, and hopefully you’ll be confident in your next steps. Ultimately, this works for any situation you’re uncertain about. 

It’s okay and normal to feel nostalgic about high school. Reflecting on the last four years might be the key to being ready to move on. Write down some of your favorite memories or take pictures with your friends. Having something to remember the past will make the future seem a little less scary.  

But, sometimes I think the only way to truly be ready for the next steps is to just take them. 

I’m sure you’ve heard people talk about how resilient our class has been through all the challenges we’ve faced in high school, and I’m sure you’ll hear it again at graduation. While it’s almost becoming cliche, it’s true. We are resilient, and we’ve already proven our ability to handle whatever is thrown our way. So, if nothing else, know that you already have all the tools you need to move forward in life. 

If you’ve read this far, I want to thank you for tuning into Chelsea for the past couple of years. And, though I have loved being Chelsea, I am excited to pass it on. So, I am eager to announce that the next Chelsea will be……. Emma Liggett! I can’t wait to see what great advice she will give and I know she will make Chelsea her own in a wonderful way.