The simple label change from freshman to sophomore when people ask you what grade you are in is not as dramatic as it seems. The changes from being the newbies in school to the has been here before, is not as exciting as people make it sound. A change from brace face to taking out a retainer every day at lunch is not as exhilarating as the impression it gives off. 

“Don’t wish away your childhood too fast,” are words that often come out of the teachers that overhear your conversations about the dream to graduate already. Those words do not mean much in the moment, but as I reflect on the past nine months spent in a brick building every day, I have come to realize how fast time truly goes. 

To the second year of high school and the year of many changes, I am writing this not as a letter of goodbye, but rather a letter of appreciation. As I am aware of how much I will miss the days I have spent at a desk with the same routine everyday, my excitement for summer is uncanny. The Monday morning tests and late night homework will continue in the fall when August comes around and I’m waking up as late as possible just to arrive at school late and not find a parking spot. As exciting as that sounds in July, by September, I am already counting down the days until the last day of  school in May. 

A cheesy letter to my tenth grade year to recollect all the fun and to praise the memories about to come. A letter to recognize the people who have taught me to not care what others think. A letter to recall the early Saturday mornings after a late Friday night. A letter to be thankful I won’t have to learn chemistry for three months. A letter to forever remember all the memories I will tell my kids about someday. 

To the year that has changed me the most: the laughs have been unforgettable, the smiles will be long lasting and the memories will be never forgotten. The small change I will be making from sophomore to junior, the simple label change, the change from under to upperclassmen, will be overrated with feelings of anticipation.