High school seniors in Beaufort County have a big week ahead of them — arguably one of the most important times in their lives.

From Tuesday to Thursday, seniors from Northside, Washington and Southside high schools will take that nerve-wracking walk across the stage and draw a close to their grade-school years. Beaufort County Ed Tech seniors graduate on Saturday, and the Early College High School seniors received their diplomas a couple of weeks ago.

Whether from these public schools or the handful of private schools in Beaufort County, the students have an experience in common: their accomplishments from the last 17 or 18 years culminated with a seemingly simple, yet oh-so-important, white piece of paper.

Now, the hard part. The real world awaits, and ready or not, these young adults are being thrust into it. Some will go to college, while others prefer to go straight into the workforce or military. Either way, it’s a life-changing moment.

But before panicking, it’s important to remember a few things. Those long nights of homework and never-ending series of assignments were terrible in the moment, but they taught the value of hard work and the importance of achieving goals. The relationships made in high school and the lessons learned there have made an impact, and the only thing to do is keep growing.

Parents or guardians have also put in some work to keep these students on the right path, and although it may not seem like it now, that guidance will stick with them.

Beaufort County has some great students within its borders. They are smart, capable and ready to make a difference, and they have been given the tools to succeed.

Now is their time to shine. The building blocks are there — all that’s left is to use them.

Congratulations to the class of 2016.