The last few weeks of senior year, everything starts to wind down. The hallways during freshman year that felt so large, are now more familiar.
That is when the student receives an envelope with their name written on it.
That envelope takes them back to the exact moment in 8th grade where they are sitting and staring blankly at a piece of white ruled filler paper. Tearing open the envelope a wave of nostalgia hits.
This is the moment when the person they were is now meeting their senior self, who they have envisioned for years.
In eighth grade, Highlands Middle School students write letters to their senior self, which the student receives at the end of their senior year. In these letters, the students can write about whatever they desire to discuss. This tradition has been happening in Highlands Middle School for about eight years.
“I included a bunch of photos of me and my friends from middle school on a flash drive and then I think I also included a few dollars in the envelope,” Emme Orme (12) said.
Writing these letters allows for 8th graders to reflect on emotions and thoughts they have. The process of reading back on a letter from one’s younger self can evoke emotional feelings and the sense of nostalgia.
“I was initially really excited about writing my eighth grade letter because it gave me an opportunity to reflect on my middle school years and also think forward toward the future,” Orme said.
In these letters, the students could have written about long-term and short-term goals. When they receive their letter they are able to compare the old goals they had for themselves, the goals they have achieved, and the new goals set for themselves. They get to see their perspective on what they want for themselves change as they grow older and more mature.
“One thing that did surprise me is that I stated in my letter I wanted to go to Northern Kentucky University and live at home, however I am now at Western Kentucky University three hours away,” Class of 2024 Alli Sower said.
With these letters, there were several challenges.
One of the biggest challenges was the Class of 2024 due to COVID-19 being during their 8th grade year. The teachers had to come up with a way to get the letter to get to them at the end of their senior year.
“We set a date for them to receive an email with their letter, we didn’t know if the website was still gonna be there in 4 years and even if the letters will get sent to them and on the date I told them to put in their I emailed Campbell Smith (Class of 2024 graduate) to check her email to see if she received it and sure enough she did!” Highlands Middle School Language Arts teacher Amy Fry said.
When students write these letters, they sometimes include things in their envelopes. These items vary between things that can give them memories that they have made in middle school or things they were into 8th grade year that reminds them of their old interests.
“A lot of them are hilarious, because even if you don’t try to make it funny the stuff you are into in 8th grade is typically not always gonna be the stuff you’re into in four years,” Fry said.
While moving through life, the advice students receive and give to others offer a great opportunity for growth. When a person gives advice it is just them reflecting on personal experiences and ways to improve those experiences.
“If I could give advice to my 8th grade self I would say to not take life so seriously and stress the little things… Looking back on everything I wish I would’ve not cared about little things and cared more about the important things,” Class of 2023 Peyton Helminiak said.
As years unfold, the choices made by someone will influence who they become. There will be moments of growth, challenges, opportunities and even new experiences. When reflecting on these journeys, a simple letter or even note from their past self is a great way for reflection.
“Something I would tell my future senior-year self is that I hoped I made the most out of my four years at college,” Sower said.