SSP Reflection

Dear BB&N Class of 2026,

 

       SSP was hands down the most enjoyable part of high school for my friends and I, and hopefully it will be the same for you. The 8 short weeks between March break and graduation are nostalgic, relaxing, and fun. We all know how hard BB&N is academically, and to get to this point in your high school career you have most likely struggled through at least 3.5 years of strenuous classes, extracurriculars, and sports. So, enjoy this – it’ll fly by. Compared to the first seven-eighths of high school, SSP is a time when you get to choose exactly what you want to do, and with minimal restrictions. This time is so special because it allows you to take some time away from academics and pursue things that you never had the chance to do during the rest of high school, and maybe wouldn’t have even if you were presented with the opportunity. Instead of slogging through the last 2 months of school and barely finishing any assignments, BB&N has given you all the privilege of spending it how you want to, so don’t waste it.

       For the majority of my SSP, I chose activities that were really fun, and most importantly, with my friends. My biggest piece of advice by far is to set your seminars and activities up with your friends so that you can maximize your time together; otherwise, it's really easy to all have activities at conflicting times and only really being able to see each other on the weekends.

       One final piece of advice is to start thinking about your SSP now. I know it feels like a million years away, but it will creep up on you and before you know it, you’ll be in your first small group meeting brainstorming some of your activities. So make a list of some of the things you think you’d be interested in so you can really spend time doing what you’ve wanted to do for a while.

       The first week of SSP will move at a snail’s pace, and you might even dislike it. I know that me and a lot of my friends found the flexibility weird and thought it was going to last forever. But in truth, that time flies by and before you know it, you’ll be writing this same exact letter to the Class of 2027 the night before it’s due, with prom, closing ceremonies, and graduation right in front of you. So make sure you spend these 8 weeks making memories, like golfing in the middle of the day and hanging out with your friends 7 nights a week. You won’t really realize how special it all is until you’re almost done.

 

All the best,

Gil Cavalieros

Class of 2025