If you are convinced that high school was "the best years of your life," then I am sincerely sorry.
Just from my first semester in college, I have experienced so many things that I never did in high school. You have freedom like no other time in your life. You learn about subjects that you actually care about. You perfect your time management skills. The benefits are endless.
Even if you don't attend a college or university, high school should never be the best four years of anyone's life. There is so much out there in the world to see and experience, and so many people are stuck in the ways of their high school life.
Just think about it. There are the people who stay in their hometown forever, marry their high school sweetheart, have some kids, work at the same job for the rest of their lives, and then never do much else. I am not saying that this lifestyle is wrong, but so many people are afraid to move on from the security of what they are familiar with.
High school, so far, was not the worst years of my life nor the best; I regard them purely as a learning experience. I started to develop some autonomy, but not as much as I have in college. I think I have changed and learned more about myself in this first semester than I ever did in my four years of high school.
In my opinion, the best years of your life are the ones in which you learn, whether it is through education, through travel, through volunteering, or all of the above. People should aspire to be well-rounded, culturally sound, independent, and educated individuals. Success, to me, is not about how much money you have or your possessions but rather the opportunities you take and how they shape you.
There is a lovely quote I stumbled upon recently that truly spoke volumes to me: "In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself." Frantz Fanon, a famous twentieth century intellectual, declared these words in his book "Black Skin, White Masks."
I truly believe that every good and bad experience in your life directly influences who you are as a person. If you restrict yourself to your high school accomplishments and are satisfied by those alone, you are not developing your character, interests, skills, or mind.
If you feel like you are one of those people that peaked in high school, it is never too late to change that! It doesn't even require a lot of money in this day and age to become a well-rounded person. Visit your local museum. Volunteer at a local food bank or shelter. Reach out to people you think would make good friends. Read books in your spare time.
Every action you take to better yourself will prove worthwhile in the end, and it is always a good time to pursue your character development. Don't dwell on your past; think towards your future and try to make all of your years "the best years of your life."
