Albert’s bald claim to be the sole successor of Tianyu Fang ’20 and Jess Choe ’22, whose name I shamefully proudly share, made me reconsider my position as a pro tempore editor. While I’m usually not the attention seeker of the group, I decided that he already got enough spotlight as the student conductor, and now I shall have my five minutes of fame. So here I am, after four years, in my last four weeks in the Byfield Bubble, writing down my thoughts to the elite few who have picked up this newspaper. 

Don’t be afraid of changes.

I was (and still am) terrified to have my expectations shattered. Changes in my daily routine, my relationships with others, or at times a different self that I don’t recognize — small or big, those unfamiliarities would drag me back into my comfort zone, where I will pray for “normalcy” to return.

It’s not always easy to make yourself comfortable in a new environment, with new people, or even with a new self. To make matters worse, every moment we are forced to face a world made different by people who’ve changed. You may still look exactly the same as the confused, little freshman on your keycard, and you may not be ready for it—but whether we like it or not, change is inevitable. 

What I’ve come to acknowledge, though, is that changes are what make life much less boring, much more interesting. It’s proof that you’re not a flat character, and it’s the complexity and dynamics that make your story intriguing. 

Use your parent’s money discretionarily.

I know you won’t read your textbooks. And more often than not, your teachers won’t use the textbook, either. So save your $300+ for future AP exams and prom tickets.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do your homework. If your class requires a copy, then put in some effort, do some web searching. If you dare not risk any criminal charges, free copies are always available in the library (@peskylibrary).

The world doesn’t end all that easily.

We really can’t snap our fingers and destroy the world. I know, there are times when you hope for it, when you stutter wondrously during morning meeting announcements or drop your score during your senior concert. But all those moments really aren’t as terrible as they seem. Trust me, more often than not, you’ll look back and laugh at yourself for thinking the end has neared.

The realization that the world doesn’t revolve around me, that I am not the center of the universe is somewhat liberating. Others really don’t care too much about who you are and what you do — and thus, no, you won’t be the cause of the end of the world. And since the world doesn’t end too easily, you might as well have some fun in it. 

You don’t have to take on everything by yourself.

The freshman year me would have been set on doing everything on my own, that I can and shall challenge myself. Well, yes, you shouldn’t be staying in your comfort zone all the time, but don’t let that thought overwhelm you. It’s fine to set your priorities; it’s fine to let some things go. You really don’t have to do everything on your own. 

See, if I, being the procrastinator that I am, tried to write this entire newspaper all by myself, then you would never be reading this enlightening piece of writing. But throughout the four seasons I’ve spent as an editor, I’ve learned my shortcomings. So rather than spending hours trying to draft a grandiose introduction to this tradition, I have let my fellow newspaper editors take on the task instead. 

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Sharing your burden doesn’t make you weak or incompetent — it simply means you’ve learned to better take care of yourself. You’re not the Atlas holding up the world, and you really don’t have to be. Let those who care about you help you—they might just be waiting for you to reach out. 

Carpe Diem 

How can I not pay my final tribute to Mr. Kelly. Seize the day—live in the moment. Don’t spend all your time worrying about things that haven’t happened (things that never ended up happening anyways). Don’t dwell too much in the past, either. The present is too precious, too short for us to lose. At the end of the day, the what ifs and what could have beens aren’t really worth the love and time of the people whom you know now. Take the lessons you’ve learned and move on. Don’t live in the past, the future, or the shadow of your sister….or of Albert’s big forehead.