Addie Sullivan

In our sophomore year, we accomplish a lot; we are finally starting to get the hang of high school. Maybe you get a job, or you join a sport you weren’t sure about last year but now you see isn’t so bad, or you start hanging out with different people. But something many people start around sophomore year is the process of getting their driver’s license. Everyone looks forward to it their whole childhood: finally having freedom, going where you want, when you want, and not being embarrassed if your parents drive you to school. You are now independent.

Although it can be very exciting, it’s also a little nerve-racking. We have responsibilities now, like taking care of the car, making sure it has gas before we drive, paying attention constantly, driving younger people to where they need to be, and making sure we don’t put others in danger on the road (or in the Feehan parking lot). While being independent is fun, it comes with many responsibilities, which aren’t as fun.

It’s unreal seeing people your age finally driving. We used to think people who could drive were so old, but now we are old. It’s bittersweet; being able to drive is new and exciting but it also means we are growing up. As we become more independent, we are less dependent on our parents. Getting your license is the first of the many checkpoints we have to cross to be an adult. We can enjoy this new chapter, but we must be safe at the same time.