Upon my entry into senior year, I constantly heard the voices of multiple outgoing high schoolers, headed off to college and leaving their old lives behind.The vast majority of them all said the same, “Don’t let this year get away from you. You will miss this time of your life.”
Now, a year later, I can honestly said I have absolutely no idea what they were referring to. High school may be lifted on a pedestal when presented to most students, being talked about as “the glory days” and so on, but the truth is it isn’t for everyone.
I, personally, can attest to that.
Every single time I was made to say my age or education level when I was in high school, I shrugged and shyly stated my truth. Generally, the person I was speaking to would then reply with a statement somewhere along the lines of “Aw, you’re such a baby!” and then laugh. This was such a criticism to me. I have always seen my young age as a limitation. While in high school, especially, it seemed as if I was never taken seriously.
I also had absolutely no time over those 4 years. Granted, I buried myself in responsibilities, joining student council, working two or three jobs at all times, and then of course doing schoolwork, but all I wanted every once in a while was two seconds to breathe. This also led to constant stress and agitation, which you can imagine does not help soften a personality.
Though the things previously mentioned were a nuisance in my daily life, they didn't come close compared to the annoyance of high school girl drama. When will we (yes, I said we, because I too was sucked into the madness) finally realize that it does not and never will matter? Eventually, it all pans out anyways, and once you graduate, you never have to speak to one another again.
On a mildly positive note, I did learn so much about myself and the world in high school. Every single person I came into contact with affected me in some way, shape, or form. I had some great friends who helped me through it, and along the way, taught me some amazing life lessons on letting go and believing in myself. I also had some amazing teachers who kept me on the right track and helped me decide what it was that I wanted to do with my life. Honestly, if it weren’t for the English teachers that I had in high school I never would have found myself as a writer and I NEVER would have considered making a career out of it. I’m so lucky to have been influenced by them.
High school isn’t the greatest for everyone, but either way you have to struggle through it. The advice I will leave you with is this: Do what you have to do, stay focused on your goals, try your best on everything, and move on when the time is right. Don’t lag behind your classmates in search of the best days of your life if they weren’t there to begin with. There is always a new chapter right around the corner and it is waiting to be opened. When you see an opportunity, take it. Never give up on yourself, even when it seems like you are stuck in those four years forever. One day, you will really thank your old high school self for the effort, I assure you. I surely do.
