High school is full of memories, experiences, sad times, happy times, and overall, is an emotional rollercoaster. You meet great people, meet some not so great people, and learn more than you ever have before. It's your first chance to make important decisions and realize when you've made a wrong one along the way. From freshman year to senior year, I've realized how much everything has changed. If you look back at your last four years of high school with regret, you truly missed the point of this journey. Looking back on this era of my life, I realize that we, as students, have grown as individuals and made memories we'll never forget. Touching on what I have learned, there are countless lessons and millions of thoughts the process of high school has taught me.
1. Stop caring what other people think.
It is a lot harder than it sounds, but it will help you more than you will ever know. The people that waste their time judging and creating rumors about others are simply insecure and bored with their own lives. Let them talk and remember their high school experience as creating drama and being the people that everyone learned not to trust.
2. Be there for people, even if they aren't your best friend.
This may or may not happen to you, but if it does...just remember to put yourself in the person's situation before rushing to tell everyone what happened. Someone you don't know extremely well may reach out to you for advice after dealing with a friend or personal problem. High school is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, so you'll never know if that person randomly asking you to hangout will turn out to be your best friend. Be nice.
3. Stay away from the pointless drama.
This will also most likely be a lot more difficult than it seems, but everything gets so much simpler when you learn to avoid drama. There are going to be people that revolve their lives around lies, rumors, and hurting others. Once you recognize who those people are, it's important to understand that they most likely aren't your friends and to not believe anything they say. This will make your life so much more stress free.
4. Try new things.
Personally, I wish I tried more things and wasn't afraid to do so. Looking back, there are a few clubs I wish I joined and even some school related organizations that would have been amazing to be a part of. Even if your best friend isn't in the club, or you don't know anyone, try to go to one of the meetings and see if you like it. Go to that party your friend invited you to, watch one of the home football games, and take a chance or two. You never know what you'll figure out you love and the people you will meet if you're afraid.
5. Don't Be A Part of Something Aren't Happy With
Personally, there are a few things that I learned I should not have been a part of for as long as I was. After being a part of something for a few weeks, you'll understand that you may love it or that it isn't exactly what you pictured it to be. Even if you love it at first, it's okay to change your mind after a few months or even years. Keep yourself happy and enjoying the things you are apart of, whether it be work, clubs, or even volunteering.
6. Always Stand Up for Yourself and Others
People are always terrified to go against what the majority of people are doing or laughing at. Personally, I've learned that you can only stay quiet for so long. No one has the right to make things up about you or treat you like you're any less of a person than they are. Stand up for yourself and stand up for the people that are completely horrified to stand up for themselves.
7. You Don't Have to Agree with Every Opinion and Thought
High school is the first time, in my opinion, that there are open conversations about controversial topics and politics during class. For that aspect of this idea, it's really crucial to speak about what you're passionate about even if the other three quarters of the class openly disagrees. This is your life and you have your own voice, so share what you honestly think. In terms of friendship and drama, never let someone tell you what you said or the way something is if you know that it's wrong. Always tell your side of the story.
8. Have Respect for Everyone.
The truth is that you never know what someone is going through unless you're in their shoes. Being respectful and understanding of others situations is one of the most important lessons I've learned in high school. People are going to tell you that you don't have the problems you have, that you're lying, and even go as far as make fun of someone else's health or mental problems they are going through simply because they cannot relate. Have respect for everyone and try to be helpful to those who are going through a hard time.
9. Avoid Social Media Fights
There are going to be those who pull the "practice what you preach" line and then go against everything they say. They'll indirect you, set up a group of people to join in, and even go as far as writing paragraphs about everything that's bothering them involving you. It's insane. If you see these comments, indirects, subtweets, etc., my advice is to ignore it. Let them appear to be talking to themselves and just unfollow them. The back and forth is pointless and in the end, someone always ends up at the guidance office getting in trouble.
10. Make Memories With the People You Enjoy Spending Time With
Truthfully, high school is about gaining the friends you'll have for a lifetime and not being afraid to lose some friends along the way. Never be afraid to cut out toxic people from your life and even to stop them from coming back into your life. You want to avoid spending time with the people you know aren't the best people to have in your life and spend more time with the people that make you happy. Don't forget to make those memories you'll be able to share years from now.
