Open advice to present and future high schoolers: “I wish I knew then what I know now”

As a senior who is graduating in a few months, I am a bystander to the famous saying, “high school flies by quick.” Trust me, you’re not being lied to! Before you know it you will find yourself in your senior year, applying to colleges and getting ready to walk the stage to receive your diploma. Reflecting on my four years in high school, I realize that I have made some mistakes. Having already gone through the experience, I am here to offer you some advice that will help you survive high school.

Find the right group of friends. Don’t try to fit in with the popular crowd just because it will help your reputation. Chances are you will meet many new people, some of which you may not get along with so well and others who are interested in the same things you are. Who you befriend isn’t what matters, but it is rather how they treat you as a friend. Choose friends who will not distract you from your aspirations but will instead motivate you. Once you find your real friends, don’t take them for granted because they are the ones who will always be by your side.

School isn’t everything. Find time to  go out once in awhile and have fun. Participate in school activities, go crazy, and be yourself. Try going to the school dances, football games, and assemblies because you will regret not having lived through these experiences. Now, I don’t mean you should become a party freak and act unreasonably. Although, wouldn’t you rather enjoy going out from time to time instead of being stuck at home doing homework all weekend or watching Netflix for hours?

Most importantly, remember to not get caught up in all the excitement and become distracted from what’s important, your future! Stop procrastinating as soon as you can; it’s never a good idea. We all have those moments when we would much rather be watching the latest series on TV or hanging out with friends, leading us to put assignments off until the last minute. “It’s not due tomorrow,” is never the way to go. Even if homework or projects aren’t due the very next day, set a few minutes each day to work on it. This way you pace yourself and stay relaxed. Otherwise, you will find that procrastination leads to long, stressful nights which consists of a lot of coffee and no sleep whatsoever. Get started early and you will have the satisfaction of finishing early.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are surrounded by teachers, peers, and counselors who are always willing to answer your questions and help guide you in the right direction. Don’t try to do everything yourself, if you need help it’s always better to ask instead of struggling through it.

Keep in mind you have four years to find the person you want to be. Be yourself, have fun, stay focused, and know what your priorities are. Good luck!