Moving on — something we often use to describe graduating high school and heading off to whatever lies in store for us after.

When I hear “moving on,” however, I never get that feeling of completeness, of finishing strong, of saying goodbye.

Moving on sounds more like getting over a breakup than a farewell — so we might as well treat it as that.

So here it goes, high school — it’s not you. It’s me.

No, seriously.

It is not your fault I have reached the age where I need to leave the nest and (hopefully) make something of myself.

We had some good times together — school dances, newspaper late nights, numerous theater productions.

And some bad — AP stat.

But all good things must come to an end.

Sure, everything was going well freshman year when the relationship was still new and exciting; but honestly, I think both of us are getting a little tired of each other. It’s not a bad thing — we did what was right for both of us at the time and we just, well, grew apart. No hard feelings.

I truly do wish you the best of luck, but I think we need to see other people.

There are plenty of other fish in the sea and hey, a hot new class of freshman will come into your life next year.

To be quite frank, there is someone else in my life.

Your suspicions were right — the late nights on the computer were me visiting websites for other schools and the missed days for “family trips” were indeed college visits.

I denied it and denied it, but yes, it’s true.

There is a new special someone for me.

You were right all along and even though it will hurt, you need to hear me admit it — it’s college.

I really don’t want this to come between us, and I’m sorry it had to end this way.

Maybe we can still be friends.

But in all seriousness — I want to thank you for being a place I could make mistakes and learn more about myself in the process.

My time with you taught me so much about what I am capable of and how to work hard to achieve my goals. I made so many unforgettable friends and will never stop counting myself lucky for that.

There were so many things about you that made you special — the wonderful “Tiger Print,” the drama department, Fifth Wall, the school spirit.

You will forever hold a place in my heart.

The invaluable lessons I have learned here will help me in the next chapter of my life.

I am sorry we have come to the inevitable end of this relationship.

All those who come along next will be incredibly lucky to have you — I can only hope they will have as good of an experience as I have. I know you’ll find the one eventually.

I hear that Scott Bacon is a catch and he won’t suddenly graduate like everyone else. I’ll give you his number.

Best of luck to you.

Goodbye, high school.