As you enter into your high school journey, there are some key things to do and remember. As a recent high school graduate, I know I still have a lot of learning to do, but if I could walk through my high school's doors as a freshman again, here is what I would tell myself.
Get involved. I know everyone is telling you to do this and do that. Why don't you play football, go out for track, and join Spanish club while you're at it? People's suggestions can get overwhelming, but focus less on what specific activities they recommend and more on just getting involved in general. You don't have to be president of a club or a tri-athlete. Just find one or two things that interest you and go check them out. This helps to give you pride in your school, lets you meet new people, and of course builds your résumé (trust me, start your freshman year and your senior self will be grateful).
Don't get caught up in the drama. High school is full of drama, that is one thing I know for sure. People will run up to you and whisper in your ear the latest gossip. They'll laugh hysterically as they spread yet another rumor with no remorse. I'm not saying you have to shut it all down and walk around with "Drama Free Zone" stamped on your forehead, but laugh about it and then move on. Don't entertain all of the gossip and stir the pot more; all that will do is bring more drama to you, and you don't want that energy, I promise.
While on the topic of drama, I also want to note that when you become the center of it or the latest rumor's main character is you, just let it go. You may defend yourself and say your peace but after that, be done with it. Try not to get emotionally invested in what people are saying about you because it really isn't as big of a deal as you think it is. The last time someone told you a rumor about someone else, how long did you really think about it? How long did you care? Did that really change what you think about that person? Probably not. The same goes for you. People may laugh a little at what they heard about you but it won't be life altering.
Do Your Homework. This one should be obvious, but I know how easy it is to get caught up in other things. Above all else, take your academics seriously. Homework can seem so tedious and unnecessary but at the end of the day, it is an easy way to earn points in the class. You'd rather earn them easily now than try to make up for it later on a test. Plus, it helps you absorb the material which just makes the rest of the class a breeze.
Being disrespectful is not cool. Rest assured, I definitely did not like every teacher I came across, but I was always respectful. Being the class clown and cracking jokes about the teacher may get a few laughs from your so called friends, but all it does for you is earn discipline and a bad reputation among the faculty. Any true friend isn't going to encourage you to make a fool out of yourself, remember that. Also, you're going to want to be on your teacher's good side not only for the class, but because one day they may determine if you're accepted into a certain program or you may need them to write you a letter of recommendation for college. I'm not saying its totally fair that things you did your freshman year can come back to haunt you your senior year, but that is how it works, so just try to keep a level head.
Friends come and go. Throughout high school, you're going to learn that not everyone you meet is going to be your best friend for life. You will become close with a lot of people and you will also naturally drift from those people. Within your four years of high school, you do a lot of transforming. You're discovering who you are, what you like, what you're comfortable with, and prospectively, even what you want to do with the rest of your life. What you have to realize is that as you are finding yourself, so are all of your friends, which is why someone who seems like your soul sister sophomore year may end up being the polar opposite of you by the time graduation comes around. Don't get angry at your friends for becoming distant, just be understanding. You will find your lifelong friends eventually. Not all of your best friendships start in high school.
Soak up every moment. I would never tell anyone that high school is the best four years of your life, because in my opinion, if it is the best four years, you seriously need to improve whatever you decided to do post graduation. However, high school is a unique time. For the majority, you have freedom but not as much responsibility. You get to hang out with your friends and go to football games without worrying about paying rent. So enjoy that. Use your freedom unapologetically but also wisely. Realize that although high school may seem tough, it is not the most challenging thing you will do, so try and enjoy it. If you sit in class counting down the minutes until the bell rings, all you do is make yourself miserable. There may be 43 days until summer vacation but keeping a countdown won't actually make summer come any faster. Learn to relax. Laugh. Enjoy the company of those around you. High school is the last time you will see so many familiar faces constantly. Try and be nice to those faces.
Most importantly, don't stress. Easy for me to say, right? No really, though. With all of the clubs, classes, friends, drama, games, and other activities flooding your brain, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Try to slow down and just take a breath every once in a while. High school is not meant to be the most stressful time of your life, so don't let it be. Just take it day by day and don't forget to laugh now and again.
-From a high school graduate who used to be the freaked out freshman.
