6. Take time to relax | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

What High School Really Taught Me


“The old rules are crumbling and nobody knows what the new rules are. So make up your own rules." -Neil Gaiman

1047
What High School Really Taught Me

In This Article:


High school taught me much more than what was inside the textbooks. Not only did I learn more about who I was, I learned valuable life lessons that I will carry with me forever.

1. Grades do not define you

Giphy

Yes, none of us want to fail a test that we truly worked hard for. However, I can assure you that the bad grade will be forgotten in about one week. Grades do not define who a person is. The hard work that a person puts into their academic success is what defines them. I cannot recall how many times I did bad on an assignment. Nonetheless, I can recall how many times I would constantly put myself down and be hard on myself. It took me a long time to realize that one bad grade didn't define the type of person I was. Getting bad grades should not not be seen as a failure, but they should be looked at as a way to improve and work harder. I promise you that moping around about the assignment you failed wil not bring up your grade. However, I can also promise you that shaking yourself off and working harder will pay off in the long run.

2. You don’t have to fit in with the “popular crowd”

Throughout my four years of high school, I tried so hard to fit in with the “popular crowd." In all honesty, it took me until my senior year to figure out that I didn't need to fit in with anyone. Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't have a close group of friends. I'm only saying that you don't need to change who you really are for someone else. That was exactly what I was doing. I was trying to be someone I wasn't just to feel wanted by my peers. I came to the realization that if they did not want to be my friend for who I was, they did not need to be my friend at all. Please take my advice when I say that you shouldn't change for anyone. No matter what people may define as being “cool," you have to be your own person. If you're not into parties... don't go. If you want to party all weekend long... then you should do just that. Do what makes you happy, and don't worry about “fitting in."

3. Don’t compare yourself to others

Comparing yourself to others, no matter the aspect, can be very toxic to your mental health. Comparing grades, appearances, and materialistic items is never a good idea. Try not to compare yourself to anyone else or what anyone else has. Be grateful for the person you are and for what you have in your life. I used to compare myself to others all the time. It only made me put myself down for no apparent reason. I started to learn and realize that God made me who I am for a reason, and comparing myself to others did not help me in any aspect of my life.

4. Hug your parents

Cherish the little moments you have with your parents. Hug them when you're having a bad day. Hug them when you're having a great day. I used to think my parents were mean and unfair. However, as I got older I started to appreciate how stern my parents were with me. They taught me almost everything I know about life. Trust me, you're going to miss the moments where you can just go home and cry to your mom and dad about the awful day you've had at school. You're going to miss the movie and pizza nights. So, make sure to spend as much time as possible with your parents. You will miss not having them around everyday when you go off into the real world.

Another word of advice: Yes, your parents are ALWAYS right. Trust me.

5. You can get through the “break-ups”

You will be okay. Speaking from experience, it will be hard at first, but it is not the end of the world. I know, relationship and even best-friend breakups are hard. Take time to grieve and then start drying the tears. Think of it as a time to focus and better yourself. You can and will get through it.

6. Take time to relax

I know how hard it gets when you're constantly drowning in your assignments. I also know how hard it is to take a break from those assignments and just relax. It's going to be hard, but you have to do it. Take time for yourself and for the things that you love to do. You won't regret it.

7. Never procrastinate

Procrastiantion is never good. Please, just don't do it. It never ends well.

8. Time really does fly by

They weren't lying when they said that your time in high-school will fly by. The teachers, free textbooks, and the many deadline extensions will no longer be available as you move on in life. So, take advantage of all of your resources in high school. I promise that you will miss them.

Just remember, high school isn't all about the academics. Think of high school as your time to perform your “trial and error" experiments. It's all one big learning process, so take advantage of it while you can.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

76517
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

6865
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments