Hard Work Is The Greatest Lesson
Start writing a post

The Most Important Lesson I Learned My Junior Year Was Hard Work

And it's not taught in any typical lecture.

41
The Most Important Lesson I Learned My Junior Year Was Hard Work
[pixels.com]/[ Buro Millennial]

We grow and learn a lot in a year. My junior year was no exception. Of course, I learned Psychology and History, but I also learned something far more important. Some may characterize it as a life lesson or maybe just an insight. Regardless of what you may want to call it, it's something I feel is an important lesson for students in high school and beyond.

So here it is: everything happens for a reason, so there is no reason to stress over what you have no control over because at the end of the day the only thing you can do is try your hardest.

Now it may seem very simple and straightforward or even obvious, but it is a lot harder to apply at the moment. That moment you hear someone complaining about how their 1550 SAT score is too low or complaining about not taking as many APs as the person next to you. I admit that it can be hard trying to keep up with your peers, especially in a highly competitive school. Whenever I heard such comments, I could not help but think that what I was doing was not good enough. And I wasn't alone. In talking to other people, many of them had the same reaction. They were no less smart and worked just as hard as the kids who made themselves look better than all the rest.

I had to teach myself to block out all the negativity that came from the competitive environment around me. Anytime I would feel stressed out, I would tell myself that it's all out of my control. I tried to focus on the one thing I could control- my effort and my work. There was no point in stressing about what others were saying because it only takes away the time you could be working on yourself. And yes, I know; it is a near impossible task to not stress in high school, but trying to minimize it can make loads of a difference.

When you make an effort toward not letting certain things out of your control bother you, you'll find that you have so much more time to work on yourself and the things that actually need to get done. Going into senior year, I know I will have to constantly remind myself of this, remembering that I have no control over what anyone else does, so there is no point worrying about it. I need to remember that working hard is the key to success, but nothing says it better than this quote:

"I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson

The thing to remember about hard work is that the results may not immediate. It may take a while for your hard work to pay off, whether its in college or in the workplace. Hard work can take you to many places and it will help you succeed when you get there too.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56957
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36727
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958501
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

189769
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments