Yes, I am well aware that High School is a very small sliver of a person's life.
I'm also well aware that in the long run, it really doesn't count towards much.
Still, I would like to share a few things that I wish someone could have shared with me before I had to figure out that whole High School thing by myself.
High School is some sort of crazy, insane experience. It's this absurd whirlwind of absolutely everything. It's being a kid, but learning to be an adult.
It's being wild but learning to be serious. It's getting in trouble, and getting absolute praise.
In other words, it's the best of times, and the worst of times.
I loved my High School experience.
Of course, every student, every school, and every social group, as well as the mixture of all of these is always completely different. However, there are a few things that I wish I could have known.
Unfortunately, that's the huge part of High School. Learning half of the crap I'm about to tell you.
Sorry kiddo, you will probably still have to learn all of this for yourself, but that's part of the experience. So, first of all, I wish you luck. Now, here is the advice that you are never going to listen to.
#1: If you haven't already, learn how to have good, honest fun.
I started High School as one of those really anti-social kids, who was "too good" for any of those frivolous teenage activities.
Finally, I became tired of not really being part of the High School experience, and I'm sorry for those parents out there, but part of being in High School is doing those absolutely stupid things. (The stupid things are often the most fun. As long as the cops don't have to get involved.)
Once I started dragging myself to these crazy things, I began to feel like I was living. I began to get my head out of the books, and into the clouds. It was amazing, and I'm so glad I could do it all. Because it was flat out fun. You will probably never have that kind of fun again. So do it now!
This brings me to #2.
Find Awesome People to call your "Friends."
Okay, friends are something that many kids stress out about in High School. This is also a very arbitrary thing. I mean, let's define what we mean by "friend." There are many types of friends. Those acquaintances you meet in the first day of sophomore biology, Those people you've known since elementary school, and then those people who, you don't even know how, you just instantly became best friends. It's almost like you knew them in a past life.
Basically, you need someone you can just be really stupid with.
No matter the case, get all of these types of friends.
How do you do that? Just talk to people. You never know who could truly be your friend. And you never know what true friends may not be truly friendly to you after all.
I was lucky enough to go to a High School were clicks weren't really a problem. So, I exposed my self to all sorts of people from all walks of life. Every corner, I would find someone new, and they really made me the person I am today. I'm sad to be parting from many of them. But I promise you, you will never regret even just briefly speaking with someone, because you never know where it can lead.
#3: Embrace Diversity.
The world is a diverse place. Okay, High School isn't exactly the mecca of eclectic-ness, but you do begin to get some more diverseness than you had previously experienced.
There are so many people, cultures, ideas, thoughts, everything out there! So discover it.
New music, (My favorite to discover,) new books, new information, it's just everywhere! Don't ever limit yourself to the borders of your own knowledge. Because, that's a pretty small section of the universe. Honestly. That's like sitting in a kayak in exactly one position in the ocean. Forever. That's so boring. Why would you do that? Go out there and discover something new. You may discover something new about yourself while you're at it.
#4: Embrace Yourself, and Find Yourself.
You may think you know yourself, but I assure you, you still have a ways to go. So, first of all, just BE YOURSELF. I know, it's cliche, but few people are truly themselves. Truly. You know the people who really are themselves. So, just show no shame. It'll be just fine, I promise. Don't ever let someone force you to act a certain way. That is not a true friend.
Anyone who forces you to change is someone you shouldn't be hanging around.
However, someone who embraces how you are, and doesn't exactly "change" you, but brings out the you that you have always been hiding. Those are the kind of people to stick with.
#5. Learn how to THINK.
I finally began to barely learn this my sophomore year. I had taken an honors english class my freshman year which had taught me how to work. (More on that in a minute.) But my sophomore year, I took an AP History class. And I remember the day I was sitting at my desk, and the teacher asked a rather simple question about one of the ancient civilizations we were studying. Now I was beginning that over worked, out studied student phase that all AP students become very acquainted with. The teacher had basically asked, "Why?". And something happened in my mind. I just sat there and thought. "I dunno." Like usual. And then I was like, "Wait, Why? I mean really, why?" And then I began to actually think about it. Like, really THINK. Not just wonder what was for lunch.
It was amazing. I had always been that smart kid with glasses in school, but I was finally learning how to actually use this extra 4 pounds of weight I cary on my head. It was incredible!
And now that I think back, it was one of the first places I really learned to question, and wonder, and think and form opinions for myself. Which is an extremely valuable thing to have in life.
#6. Learn how to WORK.
I tell ya, I was always a pretty steady worker, but I didn't learn how to work hard until I got to High School. Between school, music, and a job, I sure learned what hard work felt like.
Yeah, it's stinkin' hard! But it's totally worth it. More often than not, hard work truly pays off. So don't be scared, just do it. You have to not think about it, or you become a procrastinator, or a lazy bum. Sorry, but it's the truth.
#7. Make your own choices.
You've had mommy and daddy breathing down your throat for 16 or so years, right? Well, you are on the fringe of adulthood. You need to start making your own choices. That ranges from everything between which brands you actually like, to where to go to lunch, to what college to go to.
If you can't really make the small decisions on your own, you're gonna have a problem with the big ones. High School is this bizarre awakening where all of a sudden, it's your life! I'm not saying you should just run away from home, and you're totally independent now. NO. But what I am saying is that it's not your life as dictated by your parents anymore. It's a really crazy new feeling of, "crap, I have to take care of that" and "What? I have to think about that?!" But if you let your parents make all of your choices for you, chances are, your life will not end up where you want it to.
Oh don't worry, they will still be very much involved in the decision making, but at the end of the day, you need to make your own decisions.
In the long run, your parents are going to continue living the lives they are currently living. However, you have the opportunity to choose and fashion what ever kind of life you want for yourself. So choose wisely, because all choices kind of intertwine, and lead to more choices.
#8. Late Nights and Early Mornings.
Oh so much fun. Coming home from work at 10:00 at night to begin your 10 page art paper on Renior, and Monet, and french impressionism, then waking up at 6 the next morning. Don't worry, you'll get used to it real fast. There just isn't enough time sometimes.
Plus some of us are procrastinators.
#9. Procrastination.
Which brings me to my next point! PROCRASTINATION! YAY! Okay, not really. It's a bad habit. But pretty much everyone I have ever talked to in High School has procrastinated at least one thing if not, most things! It's gonna happen. Whether it's your fault, or just due to a crammed schedule, it's gonna just happen. It will be okay. I promise! Just chug through. See #6. And when you are up at 1:00 in the morning, and all you want to do is break through walls with your throbbing head, just chug through for that passing grade! I promise it will all turn out. Especially if you try your absolute best.
#10. High School Dances.
Fun. But sometimes overrated. Go to at least a few, but don't make it so your entire High School life hinges upon an ask to the Home Coming Dance and the amount your dress costs. Yeah, go to a few. Preferably with people you've known for a while and can have fun with.
Especially go to the more casual ones, because they are in my mind the most fun, and least costly. But don't worry about it. When you graduate, you will not be noticed for how many dances you went to.
(Between you and me, they are all the same dance. Literally. These days theres no difference between formal and semi formal.)
#11. Meet people outside of your High School.
I was lucky, where my musical adventures took me all over the place, and all through my district. Some of my best friends in High School went to my High School's Rival School, and many other schools around my state. And it was awesome! I would have never met these awesome people if I hadn't branched out like I did.
These people are some of my greatest friends. And I never went to High School with them. So don't be afraid of what lies outside the doors of your alma mater. Because chances are, there are other cool people like you out there.
#12. Ice Cream and Fries makes a perfectly acceptable lunch.
Just sayin.
#13. Don't date stupid people.
Most people aren't stupid on the surface. But it usually becomes apparent quite soon within getting to know someone.
That's all I'm gonna say about dating. Because dating in High School is a wash. No one has truly found themselves yet, and they are just fueled by hormones. So, the best idea is just to not bother.
#14. Listen to your Parents.
Even if they have no idea what they're talking about. At least listen. Then take what they said, and try to figure out what they were actually trying to say, and make sense of it, or something like that. Either way, just listening makes them feel better about their outdrawn lectures.
#15. Form more of your own world.
I say more of your own "world" because that encompasses a lot.
High School is a pivotal point where you start to notice more things, and you begin to be able to form your own beliefs, opinions, jokes, ideas, all of the above. So please, take the opportunity to do so! It says a lot for a young person to know so much of their own beliefs and opinions. So do it. It always helps in any situation to already have your own preconceived ideas.
#16. Just Live.
Most teenagers have no problem just.... being teenagers. But in High School, you can begin to be an adult, and be more conscious while still having young, wild fun. So do it all! You may never have a chance to live like this again. So LIVE! Just LIVE! OUT LOUD! Be awesome, uplift others, explore the world around you, find yourself, be wild, be smart, and just have fun.
And most of all. DON'T WORRY. You will figure it out, and it will all eventually work out in the end. Good Luck my young friends :)
Anyone who forces you to change is someone you shouldn't be hanging around.
However, someone who embraces how you are, and doesn't exactly "change" you, but brings out the you that you have always been hiding. Those are the kind of people to stick with.
#5. Learn how to THINK.
I finally began to barely learn this my sophomore year. I had taken an honors english class my freshman year which had taught me how to work. (More on that in a minute.) But my sophomore year, I took an AP History class. And I remember the day I was sitting at my desk, and the teacher asked a rather simple question about one of the ancient civilizations we were studying. Now I was beginning that over worked, out studied student phase that all AP students become very acquainted with. The teacher had basically asked, "Why?". And something happened in my mind. I just sat there and thought. "I dunno." Like usual. And then I was like, "Wait, Why? I mean really, why?" And then I began to actually think about it. Like, really THINK. Not just wonder what was for lunch.
It was amazing. I had always been that smart kid with glasses in school, but I was finally learning how to actually use this extra 4 pounds of weight I cary on my head. It was incredible!
And now that I think back, it was one of the first places I really learned to question, and wonder, and think and form opinions for myself. Which is an extremely valuable thing to have in life.
#6. Learn how to WORK.
I tell ya, I was always a pretty steady worker, but I didn't learn how to work hard until I got to High School. Between school, music, and a job, I sure learned what hard work felt like.
Yeah, it's stinkin' hard! But it's totally worth it. More often than not, hard work truly pays off. So don't be scared, just do it. You have to not think about it, or you become a procrastinator, or a lazy bum. Sorry, but it's the truth.
#7. Make your own choices.
You've had mommy and daddy breathing down your throat for 16 or so years, right? Well, you are on the fringe of adulthood. You need to start making your own choices. That ranges from everything between which brands you actually like, to where to go to lunch, to what college to go to.
If you can't really make the small decisions on your own, you're gonna have a problem with the big ones. High School is this bizarre awakening where all of a sudden, it's your life! I'm not saying you should just run away from home, and you're totally independent now. NO. But what I am saying is that it's not your life as dictated by your parents anymore. It's a really crazy new feeling of, "crap, I have to take care of that" and "What? I have to think about that?!" But if you let your parents make all of your choices for you, chances are, your life will not end up where you want it to.
Oh don't worry, they will still be very much involved in the decision making, but at the end of the day, you need to make your own decisions.
In the long run, your parents are going to continue living the lives they are currently living. However, you have the opportunity to choose and fashion what ever kind of life you want for yourself. So choose wisely, because all choices kind of intertwine, and lead to more choices.
#8. Late Nights and Early Mornings.
Oh so much fun. Coming home from work at 10:00 at night to begin your 10 page art paper on Renior, and Monet, and french impressionism, then waking up at 6 the next morning. Don't worry, you'll get used to it real fast. There just isn't enough time sometimes.
Plus some of us are procrastinators.
#9. Procrastination.
Which brings me to my next point! PROCRASTINATION! YAY! Okay, not really. It's a bad habit. But pretty much everyone I have ever talked to in High School has procrastinated at least one thing if not, most things! It's gonna happen. Whether it's your fault, or just due to a crammed schedule, it's gonna just happen. It will be okay. I promise! Just chug through. See #6. And when you are up at 1:00 in the morning, and all you want to do is break through walls with your throbbing head, just chug through for that passing grade! I promise it will all turn out. Especially if you try your absolute best.
#10. High School Dances.
Fun. But sometimes overrated. Go to at least a few, but don't make it so your entire High School life hinges upon an ask to the Home Coming Dance and the amount your dress costs. Yeah, go to a few. Preferably with people you've known for a while and can have fun with.
Especially go to the more casual ones, because they are in my mind the most fun, and least costly. But don't worry about it. When you graduate, you will not be noticed for how many dances you went to.
(Between you and me, they are all the same dance. Literally. These days theres no difference between formal and semi formal.)
#11. Meet people outside of your High School.
I was lucky, where my musical adventures took me all over the place, and all through my district. Some of my best friends in High School went to my High School's Rival School, and many other schools around my state. And it was awesome! I would have never met these awesome people if I hadn't branched out like I did.
These people are some of my greatest friends. And I never went to High School with them. So don't be afraid of what lies outside the doors of your alma mater. Because chances are, there are other cool people like you out there.
#12. Ice Cream and Fries makes a perfectly acceptable lunch.
Just sayin.
#13. Don't date stupid people.
Most people aren't stupid on the surface. But it usually becomes apparent quite soon within getting to know someone.
That's all I'm gonna say about dating. Because dating in High School is a wash. No one has truly found themselves yet, and they are just fueled by hormones. So, the best idea is just to not bother.
#14. Listen to your Parents.
Even if they have no idea what they're talking about. At least listen. Then take what they said, and try to figure out what they were actually trying to say, and make sense of it, or something like that. Either way, just listening makes them feel better about their outdrawn lectures.
#15. Form more of your own world.
I say more of your own "world" because that encompasses a lot.
High School is a pivotal point where you start to notice more things, and you begin to be able to form your own beliefs, opinions, jokes, ideas, all of the above. So please, take the opportunity to do so! It says a lot for a young person to know so much of their own beliefs and opinions. So do it. It always helps in any situation to already have your own preconceived ideas.
#16. Just Live.
Most teenagers have no problem just.... being teenagers. But in High School, you can begin to be an adult, and be more conscious while still having young, wild fun. So do it all! You may never have a chance to live like this again. So LIVE! Just LIVE! OUT LOUD! Be awesome, uplift others, explore the world around you, find yourself, be wild, be smart, and just have fun.
And most of all. DON'T WORRY. You will figure it out, and it will all eventually work out in the end. Good Luck my young friends :)
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