By Yasmeen Finjan
High School has been a huge life lesson for me. I’ve had ups and downs that have left me feeling overwhelmed and out of tune.
Now in my twelfth year, I’m finally starting to find out how I fit into the world and I feel incredibly relieved. When it all began I was holding my breath and now, as hard as it’s been, it has taught me how society functions and what it takes to stay afloat. The most rewarding feeling is being able to look back on life experiences, and even if it wasn’t the way you imagined it being, you appreciate all that you’ve taken away from it.
Below are a few tips on making the most of the high school experience and how to prepare yourself for life when all is said and done.
Work first, play second
No one likes to feel like their life is stuck on repeat while the people around them are moving forward. Watching your friends graduate while you’re left behind to finish getting the rest of your credits is a really disappointing feeling.
Expect and accept change
As a teenager, you’re getting to know more about yourself. You’ll experiment with many different styles and beliefs. As people change and grow, you’ll notice people in a different light and you may stray away from groups because you no longer feel like you have anything in common. Most of the people you befriend in high school will become strangers as your lives go in separate directions after high school has ended.
Give yourself room to grow
Relationships can quickly become unhealthy when you’re a teenager because they tend to get very intense too quickly. Your lives can then become intertwined and you can completely lose focus on other responsibilities.
Participate
Up until my twelve year, whenever I thought about going to prom I would get nauseous. I thought it was the most pointless waste of money and time. Then I realized that maybe I should give it a chance and see what it’s like before I’m too quick to judge. Completely dismissing afterschool activities means missing out on what could possibly be a really fun experience.
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If you ever feel uncomfortable doing something, just don’t do it. If you allow yourself to give into peer pressure, people will take advantage of that. If you’re trying to make a big decision, make sure to give it some time to sink in so you can reflect and make the best decision possible.
Set priorities
When I found a crowd of kids to hang out with in my freshman year, I stopped spending time with my family. Try to set aside a good amount of time with your family, whether it’s going to the movies or going for a walk in the park. You and your family won’t always have the opportunity to spend together so it’s best that you make the most of what you have.
Life goes on
High school may feel like it drags on forever and that you want nothing more then to just stop the clock and take a breath. Things will and do pick up after high school. Once you graduate, you’re considered more of an adult with more freedom that will allow you to go in many different directions. Although the high school experience varies for everyone, it is a big stepping stone on preparing you for adulthood.
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