High school is, for lack of a less cliche term, a roller coaster. What kind of roller coaster you ask? Anywhere from a free fall to a Ferris wheel to the most insane ride you could imagine, and that, of course, depends on who you ask.
As a high school senior with graduation looming in the incredibly near future, I've spent the past few weeks reminiscing on my time served during high school. What have I learned in the past four years? A question that I have found not only myself asking, but those around me as well.
To start off... academically, I learned that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, y=mx+b, the ice caps are melting, the femur is the strongest bone in the human body and the mastery of structure in an introductory paragraph.
Yes, those are all very important words of wisdom. However, I have trouble applying them towards real life.
After walking across that stage and accepting the diploma we all fought so hard to receive, what can we possibly do with that piece of paper?
In all honesty, nothing. The paper does nothing. The textbook truths that you memorized the night before a test are now a compilation of numbers to make a letter on a transcript.
Walking across that dreaded stage is each one of us, leaving behind structure and continuity. As soon as you get off that stage, you can go anywhere your will takes you, contribute as much or as little as you want to the world around you, continue to learn and develop or maybe even plateau.
What I learned in high school is what not to do in the real world.
Sounds crazy, I know.
I clearly remember looking around each of my classes during high school and seeing people follow others, merely fitting into those around them. I'm guilty of it too, I didn't do many things that I would have liked to do out of fear of being alone or rejection or even if it wasn't the 'cool' thing to do. I realize that I was rarely my true self around others and I know for a fact that was a reality for plenty of the other students around me.
In high school I learned to fit to the mold around me, that it's better safe than sorry and you are weird if you stand out. That is the exact opposite of what will not only make you happy but will stunt your ability to grow as an individual and overall as a person. Don't spend your life being someone you are not for people who don't matter, don't follow the path of your peers and please don't spend time on unimportant things that don't benefit your interests or personal happiness.
Seniors, go out into the world knowing that you are under an endless sky and that you can be anyone or anything that you put your mind to. Be yourself, make sure you are happy, and then use your happiness to encourage others. Find what you are passionate about, let it be your guiding light and then use it to benefit those around you.
Current high school students, don't force yourself to fit the mold. Be who you are and don't let anyone stop you, do what makes you happy. Don't take those AP classes just because it looks good, take them if you are genuinely interested in gaining knowledge on whatever subject it may be. Start searching for your passion and live it, make it your truth. Don't take life too seriously and have fun with it because before you know it, all the structure is gone, the free time fades and you didn't even take the time to enjoy it.
High school is not the real world, the real world doesn't stop for anybody. The world is yours, don't waste it trying to be someone you are not or as anything less than happy.
