As graduation approaches, high school seniors are preparing for more than just move-in days. Students are spending their final summer at home with friends, revisiting favorite places and making memories that will carry them into the next chapter of their lives.
Sophie Taylor (she/her), 12, is planning to attend Brigham Young University in the fall.
For Taylor and many other students, the excitement is paired with a major change.
“I am not going to the same school as any of my close friends, unfortunately,” Taylor said. “They are attending Iowa State, UNI [University of Northern Iowa], Kirkwood and Wartburg. We will be about 1,200 miles apart.”
With that distance in mind, Taylor is approaching this summer with intention.
“For my last summer before college, I want to try and make the most out of every day that I have with my family and friends before everyone goes their separate ways, and make a lot of fun memories,” Taylor said.
While she hopes to fill her summer with meaningful experiences, she is also focusing on the mindset that will allow her to enjoy them as they happen fully.
“I will definitely try to live in the moment and not stress too much about the future,” Taylor said.
That intention to live in the moment doesn’t just stay an idea; it shapes how she and her friends plan their time together.
“We always make a bucket list to give us fun ideas of things to do,” Taylor said. “We will probably be playing a lot of pickleball, ice cream runs, drive-in movies, hikes and s’mores. We are also trying to align our busy work schedules so we can make time to have fun together.”
For Taylor and her friends, the highlight of the summer has been in the works for months.
“My friends and I have been talking about our senior trip since last summer,” Taylor said. “We decided to do a short trip to Minnesota and stay by the lake. It will be simple but hopefully a lot of fun.”
While the destination is important, what matters more to Taylor is making sure those friendships don’t end when summer does.
“I will definitely be staying in contact with my friends. We will make the effort to see each other when everyone is home for breaks, and we will stay updated on each other’s lives by FaceTiming, texting and sending Snapchat vlogs,” Taylor said.
While she’s confident about staying in touch after graduation, Taylor also recognizes how impactful those friendships have been in shaping her time in high school.
“One thing everyone should know about friends in high school is that who you surround yourself with will shape your high school experience, so choose your friends wisely,” Taylor said. “Spend time with people who make you happy and bring out the best version of yourself.”
