My Best High School Advice

  1. Be yourself, do not change for anyone. Even though this is hard, don’t worry about fitting in or what others think. Friends will eventually come to you and love/appreciate you for you. Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay. If people don’t accept you, make fun of you, or judge you, they probably aren’t the best people to be friends with anyway.
  2. Never be afraid to speak up. Voicing your opinions and speaking your mind is so important. Stand up for what you believe in and stand up for others. Even if it goes against the majority, do not be afraid of judgment. Stay true to your beliefs but also, do your best to respect and try to understand others beliefs.
  3. Counselors are there to help. Never be afraid to go talk to someone and ask for advice. Nearly half my junior year was spent in Mr. Rutz’s office. Almost everyone struggles with family issues or mental health, especially in high school. It is so important to take care of yourself if you are feeling down. Don’t ever be ashamed or embarrassed to go speak to an adult, even if it seems like the smallest problem it always helps to have someone there to listen.
  4. Do not hold grudges. Don’t let little things ruin your friendships, I have learned this the hard way. Don’t take everything so personally, most of the time no one was trying to deliberately hurt you. You have four years to spend with the same 100 people, so try not to waste your time fighting over things that really won’t matter in the next month or two.
  5. Grades do not define who you are. Just because you do not have a 4.0 or even a 3.0 does not mean you are stupid. Your ACT score does not define how smart you are. I struggled a lot to get my assignments done on time and always compare myself to others. Know that sometimes it is okay to fail a test or turn an assignment in late.
  6. Enjoy it while it lasts. Sounds cheesy but, high school goes by faster than you think. Do not take the time for granted and appreciate those around you. Do not waste your time worrying about the small stuff. Try not to take everything so seriously, have fun and make as many memories as you can.