What I Have Learned Throughout High School

As high school comes to an end, I’ve reflected on my experience. There have been many ups and downs throughout high school; it’s truly been a rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve learned so much about myself and others around me through the ups and downs, so I am here today to talk about what I have learned throughout high school and what life lessons I will take with me into the future. 

1. Learn to love yourself for who you are

It’s hard- I’ve struggled with insecurities my whole life, and I will admit that I still do. However, I have learned to love myself for who I am. I am nowhere near perfect, and I have made plenty of mistakes throughout my high school career, but I’ve realized that all I can do is learn from my mistakes and strive to be the best person I can. True happiness comes when you are truly happy with yourself, and the more you love yourself, the more you’ll find people who love you too. At the end of the day, you need to be there for yourself when no one else is. Loving yourself is understanding that you are human; we are all imperfect and have flaws. And all of that is okay. 

2. Don’t be quick to judge others

So many people in our world are quick to judge someone based on how they look, how they act, what they say, or what they have done in the past. Even if you don’t admit it, I’m sure everyone has at least once in their life. However, it’s important to take a step back and realize that just because someone did something in the past or dresses differently than you do, it doesn’t mean that they are a bad or “weird” person. “To truly know someone is to know the silence that stands for the thing they never speak of” – Robert Brault. This quote says that understanding someone goes beyond surface-level conversation; you have to get to know someone to know what they are like. I’ve learned that judging someone doesn’t get you anywhere in life, and you could end up becoming friends with someone whom you never thought you would be friends with because they were “different” than you. So, as you go throughout high school or college, be open to making new friends. Who are we to judge another when we all walk imperfectly? 

3. Always prioritize your mental health

I’m not embarrassed to admit it– I struggle with anxiety and depression. It’s something that I will live with the rest of my life, and that’s okay. Prioritizing your mental health is crucial for your overall well-being. If you need to miss some days of school because you can’t handle the stress, that is perfectly fine. I did it quite often, and I am still graduating and have good grades. Our school makes it seem as if you miss school, you are not going to do well in class. That may happen for some kids, but as someone who paid attention in class when I was there, I never had that problem. What I’m saying is that it’s okay to take a few days here and there if you are struggling. Always, I mean always, put yourself first. It is not selfish. We can only be present for others when we can take care of ourselves. Prioritizing mental health may look different for everyone– getting professional help, exercise, setting goals, prioritizing sleep, etc. However you may do it, always remember to put yourself first. You are worth so much more than your grades or how you do on a test. 

4. Do what makes you happy -- it's okay to do things no one else understands

Throughout high school, it may seem easier to follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. Buying the popular clothing brands, makeup, water bottles, etc, seems like the best way to fit in, right? However, it’s important to realize that you need to do what makes YOU happy, not what pleases others. If you want to join Student Government, The Lance, Service Club, FBLA, Lancer Productions, or a sports team, do it. You’ll look back on your high school years and you’ll say to yourself, “Why did I not join that club I wanted to?” Even if your friends or other people judge you for wanting to join something, do it anyway because if it makes you happy, it makes you happy. It’s perfectly okay to have different interests from your friends or peers. If they do judge you, then maybe it’s time to find new friends who will accept you for who you are. 

5. Everyone is fighting their own battles. Be kind, always

You never know what someone is going through. Just because someone may seem like the happiest person on the outside, doesn’t mean that inside they are happy as well. Battles that people face are not always apparent on the outside; they may be struggling with friends, family, emotions, mental health, relationships, etc. Life is hard, and everyone else is climbing similar, but entirely different hills. There are so many different things that people face every day, so it’s so important that we are kind to everyone. As we learned back in elementary school, we should follow the golden rule– treat others the way you would want to be treated. A kind gesture or saying can go a long way.

6. Enjoy every moment before it becomes a memory

I have made countless memories throughout high school, both good and bad. Throughout high school, I always wished that I could be done and go to college, but now that I have reached the end of my senior year, I wish I didn’t have to leave. These are the days that I will remember for the rest of my life, and the stories that I will tell my kids someday. You only get to go through high school once, so go hang out with your friends, go to the school dances, join extracurricular activities, go make new friends. I was on the cross-country and track teams, and let me tell you, they were the highlight of my high school career. It makes me sad that I will never be a part of these teams ever again. I have learned endless life lessons, made countless memories, and made some of my best friends through these sports. High school will be over before you know it, so make the most of your years.