On my first day of kindergarten, I cried at dropoff and counted the minutes until my mom would pick me up. That anxiety has followed me throughout my academic journey, eventually with less tears. 

Receiving my driving license in sophomore year came with more responsibility, and I started to feel grown-up. The anxiety lessened as I realized I liked doing things on my own, I liked having my license before my friends, I liked having responsibility for myself. 

All those realizations have led me to a huge decision: I will graduate after the first quarter ends this year, three quarters early. 

I just want to get out of here and move on with my life. 

I am not the only one who thinks that, many others also agree. I talked to another Fossil senior, Lilah Watkins, who is also graduating this month.

“I wanted to get a move on with my career and just start the next step,” she said. “I plan to attend cosmetology school, then go to get my associate’s degree at a university.”

High school years can be difficult, whether it’s social or academic, even though other students thrive and get involved in different sports or clubs.  

Knowing what you want to do in the future can motivate many to graduate early, so they can really take that leap forward ahead of their peers. For example, I have many options to explore, and high school takes up too much of my time, so I have less availability to do my job, have a social life, as well as looking at future plans. Even though I’m still undecided on my future career, I have a real estate internship and cadet training, all before starting boot camp in the U.S. Air Force in January 2026. 

That future looks better than my normal day to day schedule, which is to wake up, go to school, and go to work. I spend 14 hours away from home most days of the week. Occasionally I’ll get the day off, but that doesn’t happen often. Once I am done with school, being able to wake up and enjoy myself will be very rewarding. 

Not having to go to school and listen to the drama provides a more stress-free environment where I am able to fit everything in as well as have downtime to myself. 

But what about senior activities? That was my first thought when I wanted to graduate early. I can still go to prom – with a visitor’s pass. I also have the opportunity to take Front Range classes paid for by PSD – if I decide I want to. 

A part of me is worried I will miss out on still being a kid, and that same part wonders if I’ve grown up too fast. All around me people have said “enjoy your high school years, they are the best four years of your life!” But after experiencing high school for myself, I realized that is not true. The best years of anyone’s life are what they make of it. I have had a really good experience in high school, with the staff, students, and teachers. 

Even though the past four years of my life have been nothing but memorable, I know in my heart that I will get greater experiences in my life, which is why I’m ready to move on.