As a recently graduated senior, I find it important to share what helped me enjoy my high school career. High school is a time of exploration and about finding who you are. High school invokes the need to find your passion what is important to you. However, there are certain things that I believe will make anyone's four years of high school enjoyable and memorable.
1. Being Involved
Involvement is key to a fun and successful high school career. Clubs and organizations offer great opportunities for personal growth, new relationships and working on skills such as leadership and teamwork. There are endless possibilities as my activities ranged from Theater and Student Government to Spanish Honor society and a civic based organization called We the People. Involvement in a club allows you to have an investment in high school. You learn to grow, meet new people and develop who you want to be as a person. If there's a club that your school doesn't offer, start it. Many schools have policies that allow for a group of students along with a staff adviser to form a new club. Involvement provides the opportunity to be truly invested in a club or cause for the sake of bettering yourself and those around you.
2. Find your passion
High school is a perfect time to search for what interests you. Classes, extra-curriculars and teachers are great resources in finding what you are passionate about. You could be passionate about politics and how you can make a difference. You may love a certain subject such as math or English and decide to join their respective honor societies and tutor those who struggle in those areas. Whatever you love to do, do it. Being passionate about something allows you to devote time and energy towards activities that you love to do. You can learn a lot about who you are and what you really what to do in the future.
3. Go outside your comfort zone
Don't leave high school wishing you had done something. Going outside of your comfort zone and more importantly taking risks, are crucial elements in life. Life is full of opportunities and possibilities that may be seem daunting at a glance. However, there is so much benefit to doing new things that lead to personal growth. You may have the chance to travel with your class to a foreign country or you could have the chance of speaking in front of a club or the student body. Do not stray away from opportunities that have meaningful benefit. It might be as simple as sitting with someone you don't know, who is alone at lunch. Going outside your comfort zone will definitely grant you opportunities that you never knew existed.
4. Surround yourself with supportive peers
High school provides ample opportunity to meet new people and develop meaningful friendships. However, don't pick a crowd that is not supportive of you and your endeavors. There's no "right" peer group to associate with, but don't stay with friends who are not there for you. Real and meaningful friends take interest in what you are doing, attend your activities and are generally supportive of what you do. Being involved with people for the sole benefit of being "cool" or "popular" offers no meaningful relationship. Friends across the spectrum are good to have too i.e. different grades, clubs and interests. Find a group or groups of peers who will be supportive and reliable friends.
5. Have fun
Overall, have a fun time with high school. Yes strive for good grades, involvement in school and a good social life, but sometimes you have to step back and look at the bigger picture. Take time to hang with friends or take a break from studying for a Netflix marathon. Fun can be anything you make it out to be. Sure the party scene is fun, but so is late night eating or bowling. Enjoy the high school experience. You are in control of your experience and can shape it to how you want it. High school is truly a time to have fun and begin to find who you really want to be in life.
