Youth Talk

It’s that unfortunate time of the year where we have to say farewell to familiar faces. Whether that’s leaving the island because of new postings or university … change is always difficult.

We have a tendency to cling onto the oh-so-familiar, resulting in most of us never venturing outside of our comfort zones. My graduating friends have reported mixed feelings regarding the advent of university life.

On one hand, they can’t wait to truly experience the world and finally be regarded as adults. Conversely, many are still in denial about the fact they will no longer set foot in a high school. The days of being forced out of bed are rapidly fading away for them.

Now the real struggle for them will be forcing themselves to wake up for intermittent lectures or meeting deadlines without parental support. I recently had the pleasure of attending my school’s ‘Commencement’ - or Graduation - ceremony where I saw many of my friends go up on stage to receive that all-important document confirming the completion of 16 years of formal education.

All those years of effort and work have finally culminated, and it is my sincere hope that they reap all the benefits they deserve. And, then it dawned on me. This will be me in exactly one year from now.

Having enjoyed being sheltered from responsibilities and provided for my entire life, I shall suddenly be submerged into the ‘real world’, kicking and screaming. I shall have the pleasure of experiencing exciting new things … like doing laundry by myself or attempting to cook something relatively digestive. 

I don’t feel mature enough for this.