This article was originally published on We Are, The Student Media Site of William Clarke College, Sydney, Australia, and it is republished here with permission as part of Teen Scene, Inc.’s international student voice partnership. 

One of life’s greatest debates is nature versus nurture, how pre-ordained is our destiny? Are we a product of ourselves or our environments? It’s all very philosophical and existential. I think at the heart of it is people trying to grapple with the reality of their own existence, their potential and the consequences of their own, or even other people’s, actions on the outcome of their very being.

The truth is I will never know who I could’ve been if I didn’t spend 13 years of my life here. I think it’s pretty hard to argue that I would‘ve turned out the same if I didn’t. As much as I love to groan about coming to school each day I think it’s important for me to reflect and understand the magnitude of the impact it has had on my life; I am a product of all those who have taught, befriended and on occasion hurt me. I am not a product of my achievements, people place so much pressure on you to do well which sucks the joy out of life. You are, as much as I am, the culmination of our experiences, life is nothing without experience. With that being said, seize each day while you’re attending this place as if it is your last because your actual last will creep up on you before you know it.

And as I look back on all that has happened I can recognise that I would not be me if I didn’t have this place. Do not take your schooling for granted; it can suck at times (trust me I know) but when you really sit down and think about it, it is hard to not look back fondly on your time here.

So, as ready as I am to leave, it will be a bittersweet goodbye. Thanks for everything WCC.