Some people say that high school is a time to become more independent and to become who you really are, but I don’t believe them. I think that happens after high school, in college or in the real world. High school is a time to try everything once, to admit to yourself that you have no idea who you are and then take risks and try new things so that by the time you graduate, you can become the person you want to be. Therefore, high school is a time when you should take every opportunity to discover more about yourself and the people and world around you. To help, I’ve made a list of the top ten things that you can easily miss out on in high school, opportunities that could open new doors for you, or change the path you’re on…or not.
1. Clubs—lots of clubs sound lame or boring, but the right people can make pretty much anything fun. And if you try a club but really don’t like it, most likely it’s ok if you stop going.
2. Job opportunities—if you’re looking for a part-time job during school and you have at least one free period in your schedule, check with the office, guidance office, or nurse’s office. During the summer, check the office or guidance office for clerical work.
3. Dances—everyone makes a big deal out of the big dances, homecoming and prom, and they’re lots of fun; however, the silly little dances held in between can be just as much fun, or more.
4. Friends—there’s something fascinating about everyone around you. Talk to everyone, give everyone a chance, go outside your comfort zone; some people you still won’t like but you’ll discover new friends and experience some diversity.
5. Information—if you’re trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life, talk to your teachers about what they studied, other careers in their field, etc. They may also be able to direct you to other professionals if you have an interest outside of teaching. I know it sounds nerdy but they are a great help if you’re genuinely interested.
6. Classes—don’t let what any one person says about a class totally scare you away from it. If it’s tough, you’ll survive, and tough classes lead to great friendships. You’ll probably learn a lot as well, not only about the subject but also about yourself.
7. Good books—if you like to read, lots of teachers can rattle off a list of great reading material or sometimes even give you a copy to borrow themselves.
8. Free school supplies—especially toward the end of the year, teachers will get sick of kids leaving folders and notebooks in their rooms and instead of throwing them out, some teachers will give them away. Always take advantage of this; it’s more ethical than robbing the lost and found.
9. Scholarships—most schools don’t announce every time they have a new scholarship available, but they almost always have a hefty stack. Make it a habit to check the guidance office every week, two weeks, month, etc. so that you don’t miss out on any fantastic local scholarships.
10. Fun!—don’t get so caught up in everything that you forget to enjoy yourself. The most important thing I learned is how to balance everything out so that you have plenty of new experiences but you never neglect your friendships and responsibilities.
Some people probably just read this list and rolled their eyes, thinking I’m making high school sound like a sitcom, a grand journey of self-discovery, possibly even something grandly metaphorical, like a ship weathering a storm. I’m not. I’m fresh out of high school and I understand all the problems and drama, the ridiculous classes and workloads, the challenge of balancing enough activities to impress college with an equally impressive schedule. Of the list I just gave, I actually did maybe three of these things; I wish I would have done more. To make the most of where you are and what you’ve been given is all we can do, and this list is a way to make the most of the sometimes gut wrenching mixture of high drama and tedium that is high school.
