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Blog Entry 3 of 3 Elizabeth: Golden Age - Not so golden

In anticipation of the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age, I arrived early at the first showing on Friday at noon. I should've slept in.

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It's A Senior Thang!

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Contributed by: Karin McGuire on 11/16/2007

I teach high school. Every day I am surrounded by drama. Sometimes I think one of my primary job duties is to quell emotions and instill a "This too shall pass" philosophy.
One theme that repeats itself every year is that seniors, girls in particular, have so many emotions with family that I find I need to stock extra Kleenex in my room. I've noticed that during this time of year up until about the beginning of April, these students will come to class in tears or I'll overhear conversations - and remind them that they may disagree with someone, but they still need to be respectful.
This distance occurred with me when my son was in his senior year. I still look back on that year and think, "What was that?" He reflects on that time and says, "Boy, I was a jerk!"
I know there were a lot of emotions of having my son grow up, go to college, go away...and where would I be? I couldn't conceive of what life looked like after he left. I hear a lot of moms I talk to say the same thing.
If I could say one thing to students - and parents, it would be the same mantra "This too shall pass." It really will be okay. I've seen the kids that say, "I'm just never going to visit when I finally get out of the house!" Six months later they somehow appreciate family dinners, holiday traditions, and all those things they became very used to, but perhaps took for granted.
It's a good time NOT to say things that hurt, that cannot be taken back. I've noticed students have VERY long memories. It's a good time to realize that senior year in high school usually IS "All about me!" It's very difficult to live with someone who reminds you every day "I am 18 now." But add 30 years to that and we just wish they would listen to all of this wisdom we've acquired through the hard knocks. Most of us didn't listen all the time either when we were 18. I know I didn't.
I know I'll see a few more tears between now and graduation time. I hope parents can muster the patience needed. Just know there are a lot of teachers like me, who, when they overhear a little "my parents" drama, will try to as gently as possible remind students their parents love them and "This too shall pass." It's really a senior thing.

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