High school has been a wild ride. We seniors began our freshman year virtually due to COVID-19. We spent our school day sitting in front of our computers attempting to learn as best we could while our teachers did their very best to teach us from their own screens. Despite a rather interesting start to high school, It’s truly been a wonderful four years.
I hope we all learned to appreciate in-person instruction, friendships, and each other more. In these four years, I’ve learned a lot, I’ve laughed a lot, and I’ve certainly made many mistakes. While I believe we learn from our mistakes, there are definitely some things I would love to go back in time and tell freshman me. Since time travel isn’t possible, here’s a list for the underclassmen.
NUMBER 1: Go to as many school events as you can. Whether it’s a game, play, competition, or dance, GO! You might find a passion for a new sport or activity by just being in attendance. You also find camaraderie with your fellow classmates when you’re cheering on your school.
NUMBER 2: Take the hard classes. Breezing through high school might seem like the most enticing thing to do. However, those AP or dual credit classes are going to prepare you for your college if that’s your future plan.
NUMBER 3: Find your people and invest in them. Surround yourself with people who care about you. You don’t have to like the same things or even share the same opinions, but build friendships with people who are going to be there for you at the end of the day. Surface friendships never last.
NUMBER 4: Try new things even when they seem too hard, scary, or impossible. You never know what experience it may lead to down the road.
NUMBER 5: Listen to your parents more often. They’ve been there and done that and might actually have good life advice for you.
NUMBER 6: Listen to your gut. If your instincts are trying to tell you something, they are probably right. It will save you a lot of time and trouble.
NUMBER 7: Fail more often. It’s the best way to learn and grow.
NUMBER 8: High school isn’t your whole life. It won’t define you forever.
Many of my fellow seniors had some great advice to share too!
Pk Vogel – “People don’t have to like you. People don’t have to love you. They don’t even have to respect you, but when you look in the mirror, you better love what you see.”
Chloe Galloway – “I would tell my freshman self that change can be scary, but it can also be the best thing for you. Embrace it and keep dancing.”
Kylie Hensley – “Optimism is not silly or childish; it’s a sign of strength.”
Lauren Clem – “Never forget to thank the people who are there to support you and uplift you. They need encouragement too.”
Clay Turley – “Don’t procrastinate and make good relationships with your teachers. It will make your life a lot easier.”
JP Gaines – “Go to every sporting event you can.”
Silas Coogle wishes his younger self “Started eating tornados sooner.”
Anna Wilson – “Chill out, you have plenty of time to figure stuff out.”
