Almost 2,000 days.

That’s the amount of time we have in high school. It seems like a lot, however, if I’m being honest, I can’t remember the majority of it.

When I first sat down to write this column, I thought that I would have nothing to reminisce about. Like you have probably assumed, I let high school pass by me. Then, after about an hour of writing and deleting, it came to me.

High school can be whatever you make it to be – just make sure you appreciate it. Looking back, I realized that I was so focused on creating a great high school experience that I never took the time to think about what I actually enjoyed in school. During my senior year, everything started to slow down, I came to see that I had neglected some of my passions. When we started to use mindbooks in my Humanities class, I was immediately brought back to my childhood where I would spend hours upon hours writing. When I sat in my Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology class and learned about the brain, I was brought back to the time where I learned about empathy and self-awareness during the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) section of my elementary classes. The more I reflect on my own experiences, the more I see what I missed out on appreciating.

I know it’s extremely cliche, so I’m not going to sit here and say that you’re going to miss high school. For most of us, we won’t. What I’m saying is don’t miss out on appreciating what you love.

One day you’re 17 and you’re planning for someday. And then quietly, without you even noticing, someday is today. So don’t waste it. Do what YOU think is important. Do what YOU enjoy. Do what YOU love, and do it with all your heart.