Leaving School

Only minutes till I leave school!

It's been 12 & 3/4 years since I have been counting down the days till my final exam. Now that it seems only minutes till I leave school, I don't want to leave! Formals, Schoolies holidays, HSC exams were all things that 'big people had to deal with'. Well so I thought when I was in year 7, but now my time has come and I don't feel like such a 'big person' (maybe for the reason that I'm only 5'3" and the year 7 kids tower over me!)

But my time has come too quick and I'm being pulled between thinking that I'm sad to leave school and not looking forward to not seeing friends as much and accepting some responsibility (e.g.: the excuse 'the dog ate my assignment' apparently doesn't work at university!) or on the other hand, entering a world of change and opportunities is something to look forward to.

At the end of the day I have to accept that I can't live at school for the rest of my life and I'm going through a lot of changes - but the thing that has struck me is - don't take high school for granted! Through the past year I've learnt what true friendship is. Friendship isn't someone who gives you the most chocolate (although I will admit I wouldn't mind them sitting next to me a lot). Nor is it someone who is the most popular. Friendship is someone who will drop everything to come around to make sure you're okay, or someone who,while maybe might not have all the answers, will still listen.

Make sure you keep in touch with as many school friends as possible because when you get older they will be the closest thing to youth you will get, and you'll be the closest thing to theirs. This past year I have realised that each of my friends has somehow influenced me, no matter how minute that influence is, I will take it and use it to make me a better person. I'm not just talking about friends my age, but teachers as well (although you do come across some old grumpy-bum teachers!) I've learnt to respect them ( yes they are human). Even if it is just for the patience they have with their students and how they cop the stuff we put them through and still want the best for us.

The day of my first HSC exam came - English - I have never been that nervous enough to make myself feel physically sick before. In fact I hardly get nervous, but that day I felt terrible and even contemplated letting it all out... all over my exam so I wouldn't have to do it. I decided against it though and worked through it. Each exam my nerves have settled more and more and I have now gone for my last exam!

Throwing away my books and notes was amazing - a weight lifted from my shoulders. But it seems I can remember all my English quotes - A BIT LATE FOR THAT!

I can see this major turning point in my life and as much as I want to stay at school for the rest of my life, it's unrealistic. But with the bad comes the good and I just focus on the choices coming up that I have to deal with. As Robert Frost says in 'Road Not Taken': "Two roads diverge by a wood and I - I took the one less travelled by, and that's made all the difference". (STILL REMEMBERING THOSE ENGLISH QUOTES!)

Although I'm staring down two paths in my life, I will always have the road map of memories of where I've been.

- Nik Thomas

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