As my final year of high school comes to a close, I realize what people mean when they say it goes by in the blink of an eye. Hundreds of assignments, hundreds of memories, hundreds of opportunities, and, frankly, hundreds of regrets. Nobody’s perfect–especially at the ripe age of 14, stumbling into the doors of a new school. Over the years, people have asked me, If you were a freshman, what would you have done differently? There are 10 important things that I think would have set me up for success had I developed these habits earlier in my high school career.
- Manage A Sleep Schedule
Whenever I am prompted to give advice, I am never hesitant to push the importance of sleep. Every night I go to sleep late and rise at a ripe 5 AM. Unfortunately, my poor sleeping habits began freshman year, deeply affecting my cognitive abilities and motivation. You don’t realize how important rest is until your body is begging for it. According to health.ucdavis.edu, “Sleep deprivation affects your ability to remember, concentrate, and make good decisions.” Sleeping more increases attention span, enhancing performance and health benefits. Although the transition to high school elicits a much-earlier wakeup, with assignments keeping you up past your bedtime, it is important to adapt to these changes and create a healthy schedule.
- Get Involved (Especially In The Unexpected)
Freshman year is the best year to take new activities for a test drive; you never know what you may like. “Activities like link crew have helped me branch out and try new things in different environments that I wouldn’t have found myself in if I didn’t get involved.” Claims senior Dreanah Scrivner. There are so many activities, such as band and yearbook, that I never tried out for myself, but seeing the opportunities and experiences that others have gained from this makes me wish I had tried it all along. “Just do more stuff. What do you have to lose? You try it, you suck at it, you move on with your life. At least you can say you tried it. Most people don’t do that.” Says Kendell FelderCox.
- Don’t Start, You’ll Never Stop
Knowing me, I tend to push my limits. With every habit I form, my brain makes some leeway for me to fall off the wagon just once, and then makes room for some more. “I always came to school on time in the past, but once I missed one day, it became a never-ending cycle.” Says a female junior. You may think you can procrastinate just once, but your brain is going to seek that thrill with every assignment. Every time you plan to break a habit, such as attendance, tardiness, or procrastination…don’t start, because you’ll never stop.
- Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
We learn a lot about health and wellness, such as habits to form (physical or mental), but not how to interlink the two. Your brain has a direct tie to your body; you cannot have a healthy mind without a healthy container. Practice putting the two into practice; get some sleep to repair your body, work out to release endorphins, and journal for mental health. With a healthy mind and a healthy body, success is inevitable.
- Be Kind To Everyone
It is important to accept that you are not going to be everyone’s forte…and that’s okay! Not everyone is your cup of tea either. However, disliking somebody is no excuse to be unkind, and if someone is unkind to you, that’s a problem for them only. Be nice, make someone’s day, and always be the bigger person. Talk to everybody and build friendships anywhere you can…you never know who you’ll click with!
- Take The Good Risks
In high school, opportunities will blossom everywhere you turn. National Honor Society, a new club, a sport you think you might be good at, a Summer program, a 2nd job. Sometimes all seven days of the week will be booked and your plate will be too full to pile anything else onto it. My advice is this: if you have a gap in your schedule…fill it! Depression can’t hit a moving target. Seize your opportunities at every chance you can get. Try it now, regret it later. It’s better to regret trying it than to spend the rest of your life questioning how things would’ve worked out. I’ve watched countless opportunities fly by simply because I “didn’t feel like it.” When I finally took the chance to fit a 2nd job into my schedule, it ended up being the best choice I’ve ever made. Take the good risks. “Every action has a consequence, including inaction. There are often consequences in not doing.” States Ms. Cross.
- Sit By The Teacher’s Desk
Now, I wouldn’t recommend becoming a teacher’s pet, but on the first day of school, I’ve always prioritized sitting by the teacher’s desk. As someone who’s often too shy to make connections from the back of the room, I’ve noticed that choosing the seat near the teacher allows you to form connections with them, ask questions, be attentive in class, and put yourself out there. It pushes you way harder than the back of the classroom ever will.
- Build Your Resume Early
Never wait until the last minute to build your repertoire. If you get involved as an underclassman, such as volunteering, joining clubs, and getting a job, you will be able to have a polished resume by the end of your high school career. Not only do employers love the look of this, but it looks outstanding to college admissions officers. Additionally, it opens many doors and builds valuable future connections!
- Don’t Take it For Granted
My whole life, I’ve been told that time just flies by. Although it felt like it was dragging on at the time, I now have the weight of the future directly ahead of me. There’s no more one more year, the final year is now complete. In retrospect, time flies by faster than it feels. Take in every moment and don’t rush it! When everything comes to a close and you’re at the very edge of the rest of your life, just stay put and take each day one at a time.
- Give Yourself Something To Look Forward To
Some of the greatest advice I’ve ever heard is to live in the present because tomorrow is never promised. However, as a high school student, getting out of bed on dark, cold mornings often seems impossible. One thing I’ve loved to implement throughout my high school career is to give myself something to look forward to. This could be a daily practice, such as excitement to get ice cream after school, or something broader, such as a vacation at the end of the month! Regardless of what you choose, a reason to get out of bed when times are tough makes it all the easier!
High school has truly been a blessing, broadening my passions, social skills, and opportunities. As it comes to an end, I am excited to open the next chapter of my life. I urge everyone, especially underclassmen, to prioritize themselves early on in order to prevent future regrets. You never know what doors will open for you if you push yourself!
