There are so many things that go through a high school senior’s head as graduation approaches. What will college be like? Am I ready for the next step in life? What happens now? Among those many thoughts are those of staying in touch with friends. 

High school senior Katelyn Godwin describes her social life.

“I would say that I’m very social. A lot of people have told me that I’m a people person,” Godwin said. “If I had to rate myself on a scale from one to 10, one being not social at all and 10 being super-duper social, I would put myself at a nine point five.”

The ways people try to stay in touch after graduation varies from person to person. However, one common answer among students is social media. 

“The way I plan on staying in touch with my friends after high school is social media,” Godwin said. “Social media is a big help these days with staying in touch, finding new people, and much more.”

While social media can be an appealing way to stay in touch for students, some faculty members disagree. 

Miranda Pikaart is a high school social studies and psychology teacher who believes that social media can be an effective tool but should not be solely relied on. 

“So many things on social media are superficial, and texts can very easily get lost in translation,” Pikaart said. 

Social media is not the only point of concern for teachers and administrators. Many seniors will try to stay in touch with everybody after they graduate. But, not everyone should be kept in contact with. 

“Don’t try to stay in touch with everyone. Find a good few friends and focus on maintaining those relationships,” Pikaart said. 

Melissa Ansbacher is a high school guidance counselor and senior coordinator. She often hears from seniors regarding similar types of concerns. 

“Think about why those people are in your life.  How do they show up for you and how do you know you can count on them,” Ansbacher said. “Relationships should be give and take, whether platonic or romantic.”   

Harper Strickland is a social high school senior who believes that graduating high school and taking the next big step in life is not only exciting but can also improve your relationships. 

“There are a lot of benefits [to being a senior],” Strickland said. “The bonds you have with your friends grow to their peak knowing the little amount of time we have left together.”

At the end of the day, relationships are unique to the people who have them. In this modern-day and age, you have many communication tools at your disposal. 

“Remember that relationships can last over time and distance if people communicate clearly throughout and there is trust and respect,” Ansbacher said.