Students voices

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Around this time of year, when a senior in high school, like myself, runs into an old friend or acquaintance the first questioned asked is, “What school are you going to next year?”

The stress of that ever-looming question is enough to drive me insane when it is contained to my thoughts, but the constant reminder is enough to drive me mad. Its not their fault. I just can’t decide, and the pressure is getting to me.

When it comes to the decision, I know this is something that will affect me for the next four years, which is why I keep flipping back and forth. Every school has its benefits and its downfalls. Pro-con lists fill the pages of my notebooks, but it is impossible to measure because they differ so greatly.

So, what can I do?

One option I have briefly considered, simply for the ease of it, is just not deciding at all. I know I would end up disappointed in myself and the lost opportunity, so that is quickly taken off the table. But it does bring up a strategy I find incredibly helpful: going one by one, instead of looking at eight different options. That can be extremely overwhelming and leave you more confused in my experience.

One thing to avoid is rushing the decision; you should take time to consider all of your options thoroughly. But at the end of the day, I ask myself, “Where do you want to go next year?” and the first idea in my head is always the forerunner.

As good as it is to take time to think, part of you has decided what you want; from there it’s weighing the costs and the benefits to see if it’s sensible.

I don’t know yet for sure what next year holds for me, but I have to decide soon. No matter where I go, I know I’ll have fun.

Addie Iverson is a senior at Rosemount High School. Her column appears every third week in the Town Pages.

Tags: high school, opinion, rosemount, commentaries