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Laura Diaz
Mrs. Abbadessa
ENG 105
29 September 2014
Defining Moment
Every teenager fantasizes about senior year at one point, thats a fact. They fantasize
about waking up that morning and finally beginning the end of high school. I have to admit, I
have pictured that morning a couple of times in my head before it actually happened, and I
imagined it a little differently compared to what actually occurred. I pictured my first day of my
senior year as this huge turning point in my life, a day filled with excitement combined with
anxiety. The way I imagined it, I would wake up at 6:00 AM, and not 6:30, when I usually wake
up. I would have my outfit picked out from the night before, as if I were transported back to
elementary school. After Id get dressed, I would go downstairs and eat a big breakfast, which I
never do so I dont know why I thought the first day of senior year would be any different. After
Id finish my breakfast, I would get everything I needed in order, which entailed a simple folder
and maybe a pencil. Then I would climb into my car and off Id go to the first day of my last year
as a high schooler. I have a tendency of expecting too much from new school years, this year is
clearly no different.
Waking up so unusually early was still difficult , so when I heard the alarm, my mind was
still fuzzy from my short 4 hour slumber. About 5 seconds after waking up, I recognized that
alarm to be my sisters 7:30 am alarm. It was the first day of school and I was already running
late. I rushed to the bathroom to take a quick shower and when I came out, I realized I had no
idea of what I was going to wear for the first day. This wouldn't have been a problem in previous

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years because I would always pick out my outfit the day before in anticipation. This year, I
figured who cares and grabbed the first things I saw. As I was leaving my house, I found a half
a pack of skittles in the kitchen; my big breakfast I thought, as I was tossing them into my
mouth. As I headed towards the door, my mom noticed the skittles in my hand. "That's not
breakfast. There's still time to eat something." "No time woman!" I replied back jokingly. It was
7:40 and I was climbing into my car. It was a beautiful morning and looking back, I think that
morning is very foretelling of how my senior year will turn out to be.
While driving to school, all that I could think about was returning to my bed and getting
back those hours of sleep I desperately needed. But as much as I was tired, I was also jittery.
First day jitters unfortunately never go away, even though I've already experienced it eleven
times before. I turned into the high school parking lot and instantly felt the excitement and
anxiety I imagined I would feel, which incidentally was the only thing I accurately imagined. I
tried to spot a familiar face from the crowd of students getting off their bus or out of their car.
After I parked my car, I got out and started to walk towards the high school. As I was walking,
my anxiety overcame my excitement and I began to rack my mind of anything I might have
forgotten. Thats when I realized I left my schedule at home. I wasnt acquainted with my
schedule at all, but I wasnt worried because every year, the school hands out copies of first
semester schedules to all students. When I strolled into the building, I was greeted by the
loudspeaker informing all students to report to their homeroom. I did as I was told, and headed
for my homeroom. When I got to Mr Boandls room, I saw my friend Paige sitting down. I
walked up to her and said hi. She said hello back and we asked each other how our summers
were. My summer was alright, except it couldve gone a little slower, I said. I looked up and
saw that the classroom was starting to fill up. At that moment, I realized my anxiety had faded

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and so had my excitement. I was just tired and wanted this day to go by quickly. Mr Boandl
handed out schedules and calendars, and we were dismissed to our first period class.
My first period class was AP Chemistry with Mrs ONeill. When I had walked in the
room, I saw my cousin sitting down at the back of the room. I plopped myself next to him and
we started talking about our mutual apprehension over the class. Im going to fail this class
miserably, my cousin, Edwin, said. Hey, its an AP class, it can only help your gpa, I replied.
Unless you bomb it. Once the bell rang and everyone was in their seats, Mrs ONeill
welcomed the class. She proceeded to introduce the course to the class and explained what we
were going to learn the rest of the year. That's basically what happened in all of my classes on the
first day. Since upperclassmen have only half a day, I was walking out of the building by 11:00
am. I drove down MacArthur and eventually arrived home. The first day of senior year was
finally behind me.
And that was that. Something I was so eager and excited for was all over and all I can
think about was taking a nap. Every other year, the first day was always lively and interesting.
This year, it just felt overdone and played out. My high expectations had gotten the best of me
and I was left with disappointment. Disappointed because this day hadnt lived up to what I
imagined and disappointed that it was over. I felt disappointed it was over because now began
the actual work. The worry over grades and college applications. Even though it was only the
first day and too early to think about this stuff, I was still dreading the coming months.
I dont expect myself to feel this way the rest of the year. Eventually, itll become
exciting again. The significance of that morning wont completely hit me until the last few
months. For me to catch on in the first place, I had to be reminded that its all ending. Since
middle school, its been drilled into my head to enjoy these last few years because they will go

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by in a flash. I never really listened because 4 years seemed like too long of a time to go by fast.
Now its senior year, and Im forced to confront my future in the form of college essays. Even
though that Wednesday morning just feels like any old moring, its importance wont hit me next
week or next month. Itll fully set in, I believe, when Im walking down the big stage, accepting
my diploma as high school graduate.