Guide To Graduation/After Graduation?

[luvsickcatalyst]

Tomorrow is, essentially, my last day of high school. I have a couple of exams to take this week, but other than that, I'm done. It's a pretty weird/exciting/depressing feeling at this point, having to say goodbye to senior friends going off all over the country and leaving behind some of my junior friends. I think the worst of it are my best friends, who are all basically going to college in the same city while I'm a couple states away. It's just leaving everything behind is such a foreign feeling, basically starting over in a completely new place.

Since most of the AP.net users I see are older than me, I figure you have some advice on what to do/not to do during these last few times seeing these people, how to make the most of it all (including this summer), and basically just any story you got from graduation and the summer before college that would help me out at all.

[phil19]

dont leave things unsaid

[anthonydarko]

Keep the friends that matter close and let all the stragglers go their own way in life. I'd say out all the friends I've had in high school, I'm only friends with a few of them now where as the rest of them are off doing whatever.

[anthonydarko]

Oh and keep in mind that a good chunk of your class will go on to be losers who go nowhere in life so try not to get dragged down with them.

[ohheroine]

the night i graduated i stood in the middle of the gym of my high school and i'll admit i got a little teary eyed thinking about how i wouldnt see the people id been seeing every day since 3rd grade any more. i walked out of the gym and ii haven't thought about 1/3 of them since that moment, if that's any consolation.

if you were able to make good friends in high school, you will get to college and be able to make some great friends.

[Mandee, darling]

Don't expect to remain friends with the friends you had been the entire 4 years of high school, because 99% of them will move on and won't keep in touch, even if they say they will. You'll find out who the true friends are within a few months, anyway. And don't think that now that you're out of high school, you won't have any high school drama, because that never ends. You'll have drama no matter how old you are, because people are just stupid.

Enjoy the summer, and be prepared for college. It's not that bad, I promise.

[anthonydarko]

Don't expect to remain friends with the friends you had been the entire 4 years of high school, because 99% of them will move on and won't keep in touch, even if they say they will. You'll find out who the true friends are within a few months, anyway. And don't think that now that you're out of high school, you won't have any high school drama, because that never ends. You'll have drama no matter how old you are, because people are just stupid.

Enjoy the summer, and be prepared for college. It's not that bad, I promise.
One of the most important things to remember.

[spiffa0]

Don't waste time this summer on the people you know you will never see again. They aren't important.

[Hamlet]

And don't think that now that you're out of high school, you won't have any high school drama, because that never ends. You'll have drama no matter how old you are, because people are just stupid.

5IRs7e58dsY

Oh, and don't become one of those people who got fat after high school (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=491471).

[DejaGuy89]

Keep in mind you wont have to see any of these people if you dont want to. When you graduate you will realize who your friends are and who are just people you know.
When it comes to girls though there are two options
like the ones you like.
A. Just tell them how you feel because if they reject you then there is really no fallout
B. Or Wait and then when you hang out with them later tell them you liked them in high school and then if liked you as well then awesomeness will happen.
(I didnt do A. but wished i had. I did B and it was tight)

[Knatuhlee]

dont get pregnant, well you're a dude, so dont get any chicks pregnant.
i graduated 3 years ago and i see so many people that i went to high school with who have children.
and they pretty much threw away college and there lives cause they were stupid and had children waaayyy to young.

[anthonydarko]

dont get pregnant, well you're a dude, so dont get any chicks pregnant.
i graduated 3 years ago and i see so many people that i went to high school with who have children.
and they pretty much threw away college and there lives cause they were stupid and had children waaayyy to young.
Oh god, I can never get over that. Some of the people I went to school with who's had kids are some of the worst parents I've ever seen.

[xapplexpiex]

Advice: go away to college. I graduated last year and went to a community college for a year. The people are dull. Hopefully I'm transfering somewhere far this semester.

[LoginBanned]

Advice: go away to college. I graduated last year and went to a community college for a year. The people are dull. Hopefully I'm transfering somewhere far this semester.

I went to that Community College, you're absolutely right.

Facebook makes it easy to stay in touch. Honestly within the first year of College your new College friends will mean more to you than your group of High School friends, for some reason College Friendships are more meaningful than High School friendships save for 1 or 2 friends from High School.

[Kozzy333]

I have a better question, why do Americans finish school in May, I still have until the end of June. Is this the usual for american schools? When would you usually go back to school?

[Jennurna Gray]

I have a better question, why do Americans finish school in May, I still have until the end of June. Is this the usual for american schools? When would you usually go back to school?
Seniors graduate in May, but the rest of hs has to wait until mid-June, if it makes you feel any better.

[terror_91]

I was trying to think of some different, good advice but I can't. I'm leaving for uni at the end of summer but I dropped down a year of school. I'll still see all of my friends but I can already tell that we are drifting apart a bit. There are cracks starting to appear within the group and it's a shame. These guys were what really made high school for me and I don't want to fall out of touch but we are different people who like to do different things.

I'm going to try my damn hardest to keep them as friends though. You can tell who the people worth keeping in contact are and these guys are definitely them.

[Kassie09]

well, the night of my graduation party i ended up getting a terrible concusion and felt like dying

all in all it was a good night

but seriously highschool ending is sad but college begging is fun. I mean, it's time. One more year with the same people would just seem like a little too much

[bung]

If your parents will let you, have them mail your diploma to you.

Graduation ceremonies are boring as shit.

[applesandcyanid]

Start a meth lab.

[drzafs]

I have a better question, why do Americans finish school in May, I still have until the end of June. Is this the usual for american schools? When would you usually go back to school?

Haha, I don't graduate 'till the 12th of June. The rest of the school has another couple weeks after that. Not everyone in American graduates in May.

Ans school generally starts in September.

[takeiteasy_]

well, the night of my graduation party i ended up getting a terrible concusion and felt like dying

all in all it was a good night

but seriously highschool ending is sad but college begging is fun. I mean, it's time. One more year with the same people would just seem like a little too much

I like to beg too

[etheritcher]

Haha, I don't graduate 'till the 12th of June. The rest of the school has another couple weeks after that. Not everyone in American graduates in May.

Ans school generally starts in September.

I wish my school started in September! I graduated June 6 and then everyone went back to school in like the middle of August.

[drzafs]

I wish my school started in September! I graduated June 6 and then everyone went back to school in like the middle of August.

Really? That's weird! You must have a longer winter break or something.

[Toothache]

I have a better question, why do Americans finish school in May, I still have until the end of June. Is this the usual for american schools? When would you usually go back to school?
it depends on the school. in some parts of the country they have school year round with month long breaks every so often.

[bladerdude360]

It definitely was a weird feeling, knowing that I was going to be leaving behind everything that I knew and was comfortable to me. I got sort of sad and mopey toward the end of the summer just thinking about leaving my family and moving to a new place by myself, but I (along with most other people I know) had an amazing time at college and really enjoyed it. It'll be weird at first, but give yourself a little time to get into the new routine, see the town/city where you'll be living, and do yourself a favor and meet some new people. This year seems like it went by really quickly, and as weird as it sounds, I got the same type of sad/mopey feeling when I was packing up my dorm a few weeks ago that I got leaving my house last fall. Wherever you go to school will feel like a new home to you and you'll have a great time, so don't get dragged down by nostalgia and the feeling that you're leaving everything you know behind, because within a few weeks of being at school you won't even be thinking about high school anymore.

[StephenYoung]

Oh and keep in mind that a good chunk of your class will go on to be losers who go nowhere in life so try not to get dragged down with them.

I was going to post this.
Everyone is more or less the same after high school, mostly college kids, a lot of full time jobs kids, but I've just finished my first year of College, and from maybe the 200 kids that have graduated, I'd say 30 dropped out of college, 70 are doing full time jobs, and a lot of them are already getting dragged down by drugs, small town life and just being lazy. You'll find out who's who after high school.

[dgliwa7bhs]

dont leave things unsaid

this. i left nothing unsaid last week. it went well.

[Kozzy333]

Seniors graduate in May, but the rest of hs has to wait until mid-June, if it makes you feel any better.

Haha, I don't graduate 'till the 12th of June. The rest of the school has another couple weeks after that. Not everyone in American graduates in May.

Ans school generally starts in September.

it depends on the school. in some parts of the country they have school year round with month long breaks every so often.

Thanks for the info. If I was graduating this year it wouldn't be until late June and we go back in early September so cherish your extra summer time assholes;-).

[luvsickcatalyst]

Keep in mind you wont have to see any of these people if you dont want to. When you graduate you will realize who your friends are and who are just people you know.
When it comes to girls though there are two options
like the ones you like.
A. Just tell them how you feel because if they reject you then there is really no fallout
B. Or Wait and then when you hang out with them later tell them you liked them in high school and then if liked you as well then awesomeness will happen.
(I didnt do A. but wished i had. I did B and it was tight)

Yeah, a lot of posts about finding who your real friends are. I half-expect most of them to fall by the wayside, but that's life.

Definitely glad someone brought this up...there's a girl where this is the situation. I'm thinking it's best to leave it with option B because she's strongly considering going to my college next year and we're close friends, so we talk a lot. Option A has way too many risks, namely the fact that she has a on-off boyfriend. I ain't no homewrecker.

dont get pregnant, well you're a dude, so dont get any chicks pregnant.
i graduated 3 years ago and i see so many people that i went to high school with who have children.
and they pretty much threw away college and there lives cause they were stupid and had children waaayyy to young.

I'm really hoping I don't get pregnant. That'd kind of be awkward.

But seriously, I'm kind of scared to see how many of the kids from my school get knocked up in the next 10 years. My grade happens to be a little...uh, into touching each other fun parts and getting known as "the slutty class".

Don't expect to remain friends with the friends you had been the entire 4 years of high school, because 99% of them will move on and won't keep in touch, even if they say they will. You'll find out who the true friends are within a few months, anyway. And don't think that now that you're out of high school, you won't have any high school drama, because that never ends. You'll have drama no matter how old you are, because people are just stupid.

Enjoy the summer, and be prepared for college. It's not that bad, I promise.

Pretty much my worst fear going into college. I'm hoping to find a small group, at least, of people who don't get shitfaced nightly and start drama...and listen to good music. My whole school loves Lil Wayne. I can't stand it anymore. No more drama and Wayne...is that so much to ask for?

This year seems like it went by really quickly, and as weird as it sounds, I got the same type of sad/mopey feeling when I was packing up my dorm a few weeks ago that I got leaving my house last fall. Wherever you go to school will feel like a new home to you and you'll have a great time, so don't get dragged down by nostalgia and the feeling that you're leaving everything you know behind, because within a few weeks of being at school you won't even be thinking about high school anymore.

Yeah, I hardly think about my old schools anymore. Gotta work on the nostalgia feelings though...I got so depressive a couple weeks ago over leaving and saying bye to my friends.

dont leave things unsaid

I promised myself back in the beginning of junior year that I wouldn't regret not doing things/meeting people I wanted to. I feel actually pretty good on that front.

Start a meth lab.

Best. Advice. Ever.

I have a better question, why do Americans finish school in May, I still have until the end of June. Is this the usual for american schools? When would you usually go back to school?

My orientation is August 25th. I used to get back to high school on August 30th. So end of August usually.

[kbi the crowing]

And don't think that now that you're out of high school, you won't have any high school drama, because that never ends. You'll have drama no matter how old you are, because people are just stupid.

dont leave things unsaid

these.

Plus, when you get to college throw yourself into everything you think will interest you.
& make friends right away. You don't have to come completely out of your shell first day, but definitely open yourself up a bit and meet a lot of people.

[ThatColdPart]

I can't wait for high school to be over.
Fuck everyone here.

[XLT917]

Advice: go away to college. I graduated last year and went to a community college for a year. The people are dull. Hopefully I'm transfering somewhere far this semester.

Where were you when I was about to graduate high school? I spent the last two years at community college and completely regret my decision as I have done nothing with my life. For the most part it left me depressed seeing my friends create their own lives while I was pretty much stuck in a nostalgic state of mind. But now I'm transferring cross country to a school in california. I will be year behind but luckily I was young for graduating in 08 so I'll be right in my age group.

[xapplexpiex]

Where were you when I was about to graduate high school? I spent the last two years at community college and completely regret my decision as I have done nothing with my life. For the most part it left me depressed seeing my friends create their own lives while I was pretty much stuck in a nostalgic state of mind. But now I'm transferring cross country to a school in california. I will be year behind but luckily I was young for graduating in 08 so I'll be right in my age group.
Same. Hopefully I'll transfer to Eastern Michigan, which is only an hour away so I can visit my friends and my brother on the weekends. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

[ohheroine]

Pretty much my worst fear going into college. I'm hoping to find a small group, at least, of people who don't get shitfaced nightly and start drama...



good fucking luck with that. especially at a university. i made friends with a lot of different kinds of people when i went away to school and one thing they all had in common was that alll of them liked to get wasted all of the time.

[luvsickcatalyst]

good fucking luck with that. especially at a university. i made friends with a lot of different kinds of people when i went away to school and one thing they all had in common was that alll of them liked to get wasted all of the time.

Yeah, I'm used to that in high school, but everyone kind of gets wasted just on the weekend. I don't mind drinking; I hate the taste of alcohol, but don't really care if people are drinking. It's just I'm gonna lose it if I'm dragging my roommate back to my dorm nightly and dealing with shit shows every night. I'm going to a state school, so that may be better/worse in regards to the partying.

[anamericangod]

Stop caring about everyone you've met. Move on with your life.

[anthonydarko]

I was going to post this.
Everyone is more or less the same after high school, mostly college kids, a lot of full time jobs kids, but I've just finished my first year of College, and from maybe the 200 kids that have graduated, I'd say 30 dropped out of college, 70 are doing full time jobs, and a lot of them are already getting dragged down by drugs, small town life and just being lazy. You'll find out who's who after high school.
Oh yeah when you break it down, only 5 to 10% of your class will go on to do great things, the rest not so much.

[birtcho]

The best thing about it is. You dont have to see the people you dont want to see

[deFobbed14yrs]

it's all good man. yeah it's ok to feel a bit sad, and nostalgic. but yeah you won't remember half those kids you went to school with and i mean you can alwasy visit. but like once you graduate and you go visit, you don't feel like you go there anymore, since you don't, and that helps get over that feeling thati can't describe.
college is great, especailly if you go somewhere fun, like near a city. and you'll make cool friends in college and yeah facebook def helps the connection back to high school friends.
also enjoy frosh year b/c it goes by sooo fast. like i can't beleive i'm done with my first year of college. it's so surreal.

[deFobbed14yrs]

Yeah, I'm used to that in high school, but everyone kind of gets wasted just on the weekend. I don't mind drinking; I hate the taste of alcohol, but don't really care if people are drinking. It's just I'm gonna lose it if I'm dragging my roommate back to my dorm nightly and dealing with shit shows every night. I'm going to a state school, so that may be better/worse in regards to the partying.


i feel you on the roommate scenario. my roommates sucked with the whole drinking thing. they were pretty obnoxious, but i lived with 2 girls and girls are bitches. guys are more chill and hopefully you get a nice roomie. best of luck! enjoy this summer, make it awesome! and you can always change rooms if your roomie is really horrible.

[flask]

good fucking luck with that. especially at a university. i made friends with a lot of different kinds of people when i went away to school and one thing they all had in common was that alll of them liked to get wasted all of the time.

I know plenty of people who aren't like that in college. :shrug:

[DejaGuy89]

Don't put it in your mind your not going to see them again. You will just get depressed just say later and thats it. Dont make it a big deal and get down about it.

[GhostFight]

take bars

[spansen]

stay in touch with who you actually care about.

you're only finishing high school. college is way more fun, and you'll meet way more people. after college comes that hard part.

[bunneh.]

I have a better question, why do Americans finish school in May, I still have until the end of June. Is this the usual for american schools? When would you usually go back to school?

I know my old high school doesn't finish until the like.. 20th of June so no, not necessarily.


And as far as advice for after graduation, enjoy it for what it is. Don't start deciding who to just stop talking to because I think the summer before college is the best for relaxing and having some serious fun. Go to shows, drink your ass off and spend some quality time with the people in your life that really matter. I just finished my 2nd year at a 4 year school and I am still really great friends with probably 5-10 people I went to high school and to be honest, that's all I really need.

And yes, lots of the people in your class will end up doing nothing. Try and avoid that and try not to get stuck in one place! Go to college and get the fuck out of the town you grew up in or else you'll be there the rest of your life.