Seniors, Do This One Thing Before Graduation
Before the cap toss, before the college sweatshirt photos, before your summer fills with work, travel, or a long-awaited sense of freedom - take one quiet moment to do this one thing:
Write a thank you note to your parents (or guardians)!!!!!
Yes, really. A handwritten note. Just a few sentences. A full letter if you’re feeling it. Whatever form it takes, write it. And do it now.
Why Now?
In the coming weeks, life will move fast. College decisions, senior events, graduation rehearsals, summer planning, everything will start to feel like one big countdown. Amidst it all, it’s easy to forget just how much your parents have been there for you through it all.
They’ve cheered for your wins. They’ve been there for the hard days — and the late nights. They’ve driven you to campus tours, SATs, sports practices, and study groups. Maybe they were behind the scenes, quietly helping. Maybe they were front and center, advocating for you at every turn. Either way, they were there.
And even if your relationship isn’t perfect (most aren’t!), chances are they’ve shown up for you in ways big and small.
What Should You Say?
This isn’t about writing a novel or making it sound poetic. It’s just about being real. Here are a few prompts to get you started:
“Thank you for…” (Be specific!)
“I’ll always remember when you…”
“Because of you, I feel ready to…”
“I might not have said this enough, but…”
Why It Matters
No matter where you’re headed next - a new city, a new school, a new version of yourself - expressing gratitude helps mark this moment. It grounds you. And for your parents, this note might be something they hold onto forever.
It costs nothing, but means everything.
So before your final exams. Before you start packing. Before you hit send on that last scholarship essay...
Grab a piece of paper. Start writing.
You’ll be glad you did. They definitely will be too.
To your incredible, successful college journey ahead,
Melina Kazanas
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