I can’t explain how I feel about prom. Some people may say positive things about it, while others respond to it with pessimism. Some friends even tell me they find it useless, overpriced  and overrated.

Others tell me it’s a nice evening to socialize and enjoy with friends; a night to make an effort to look good.

I would also get the reaction that it’s just another party to enjoy with friends, or with a date—but not exactly one that’s very memorable.

I let the prospect of prom breeze through my mind as I continued with my school work and my other activities. While everyone else were planning the prom, I paid no attention. While everyone else took the time to sketch dresses on the last pages of their notebooks, I had my mind set on other things.

It wasn’t that I didn’t value prom, or I didn’t like it, but it felt  too far away for me to begin worrying about it. I didn’t see how it was of the utmost importance to some.

I’ve heard many people’s opinions on prom, and even then I was not quite sure what I thought of it. I only planned my dress two weeks before prom, as well as my makeup, and the room I’d have at the hotel afterwards, to share with my friends.

Even then, it didn’t feel as extravagant or special as people told me it would be. It didn’t feel horrible, uneventful  or useless either.

But I’ve almost forgotten one of the things I’ve been telling myself, and other people, for a long while now. Experiences, although seemingly unimportant, will always play a part in the betterment of your life, especially those that only occur once in a lifetime.

Nothing special

They may seem like nothing special at the beginning, but later on, you’ll look back on it fondly. Even the smallest things deserve your appreciation; you’ll never know what you’ll learn  from them.

I’ve heard people say prom happens twice, one in your junior year and another in your senior year, so it’s all right to miss one, it’s not that important. Nonsense! Those are two different times, settings  and people. Over time, things and people can change, so don’t ever confuse similar events.

You may have a schedule in school, but it doesn’t mean the exact same things happen every single day, right? Appreciate everything that comes to you, at all times. Always keep your mind and your eyes open, and try  to look at every side of everything. The best opportunities tend to only come to you once, and never again, so grasp all that comes your way.

Prom is a night for enjoying with friends, and maybe even a special someone. It’s a night for dancing, dining and socializing. It’s a time for students to bond, relax, and forget about the stress of school and their other responsibilities.

Prom is a time to dress up, make an effort with our appearance, and feel especially magnificent for one entire night.

Don’t think of it as just another event, or as an experience that can be relived, because a day can never be experienced more than once.

Enjoy your prom night, whether you’re a junior or a senior, because you will never have another one just like it!