“And I can’t hide, ‘cause growing pains are keeping me up at night…” – Alessia Cara (Growing Pains)

As millions of students are near the end of their time at sixth form or college this summer, things can feel a bit overwhelming and feel like everything is moving so fast as we step into adulthood and it’s okay to feel these stresses and uncertainties.

Deciding where to go and what to do for the next few years of your life…

How do you figure out which choice is the right one?

How do you say goodbye to the memories, the friends, the teachers, the laughter and joy?

How do you find the courage to take a leap of faith and trust that you’re on the right path?

I’m still figuring all of that out…but what I have learned is that you have to face your fears and embrace the change. You follow what your heart says and it’s okay to not have everything figured out. You keep those memories close to your heart and take them with you in your new journeys as you grow up - keep being that kid at heart. Remember to not take life so seriously all the time and know when to be silly and carefree. You keep getting up after you fall and take those risks with a bold smile.

So before it is time to move on, appreciate and express gratitude of the present moment…

…and know…

…that as one chapter of your life is coming to end, it is also a time of new beginnings for a new chapter – a new adventure.

Perhaps not knowing what the future entails is actually the best part…that way you can dive into the unknown and make new beautiful memories.

I was interested in finding out how a few other students feel about growing up and moving on into a whole new road...a whole new world. Thank you to the students who were happy to take part and share their voice and honest feelings in this mini interview:

 1) How you do feel about leaving your sixth form/college and stepping into adulthood as you move forward into uni?

"I'm glad to be leaving my sixth form in all honesty. I think I will miss the small things, and it hasn't hit me yet that all of us will be going our different ways soon. But that's part of growing up and it's something I'm looking forward to - I embrace change, I'm not afraid of it." (Student 1)

"I feel pretty confident as my sixth form has done amazing in supporting us and our needs. They've taken our mental health into consideration when deciding how to assess us and have condensed the content and given us the questions and support beforehand to ensure we aren't too stressed for finding it unmanageable." (Student 2)

"I feel both excited and anxious. Excited to be able to experience new things and be more independent. But also anxious because I'm not entirely sure if the subject I chose is right for me." (Student 3)

2) What are you most excited about in this next chapter of your life?

"There's two things I'm very excited for:

1. I'm looking forward to meeting like-minded individuals who enjoy English Literature and have a passion for the subject.

2. I'm looking forward to becoming one step closer in my path to becoming an English teacher." (Student 1)

"I'm most excited about the new environment, the increased freedom and independence and meetIng more people who are just as passionate on the subject as myself." (Student 2)

"What I'm most excited for is becoming more independent and exploring new things." (Student 3)

I myself feel complex emotions of sadness to be leaving my sixth form and my time in secondary school...but I also feel curious and hopeful to see where this new path will take me. I am most excited to explore new experiences and opportunities - the next steps toward self-discovery, being bolder by stepping out of my comfort zone and finding my voice as a writer...

Finally, as I playfully pick up my pen to write and paint the next page of my story...

...I pass a pen for you too...

What will your story be?

 

'It might seem strange to start a story with an ending. But all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time.' - Mitch Albom

"Goodbye..? Oh no, please. Can't we go back to page one and do it all over again?" - Winnie The Pooh

"Adventure is out there!" - Ellie, Pixar's UP

Written By Saambavii Suthakaran, Caterham High School