Yesterday, May 3, 2017, I finished high school. As I was leaving Polk State College (I’ve been dual enrolled, so I go to college for high school and college credit.) for the last time for a while, I got to thinking about everything I’ve learned throughout my high school career. Yes, I’ve learned to speak Spanish, I’ve memorized the quadratic formula, and I’ve struggled my way through chemistry, but I have learned so much more than what was found in my textbooks. Here are a few things I hope to keep with me for the rest of my life.
Lessons Learned in High School
-No matter what age you are at, if you tell a public schooled kid you are homeschooled, they will almost always ask if 1) You have any friends (Yes.) and 2) If you stay in your pajamas all day. (No.)
-Your mother knows what you are capable of, so if she is your teacher, schooling will not be easy.
-Dual enrollment is fantastic, but never begin with a 5-credit Spanish class when the only Spanish you know is, “Uno.”
-Being a teachers pet is definitely not a bad thing. Who wouldn’t love to be loved by the teacher?!
-You will be driven crazy if you try and remember everything you have to do without writing it down.
-Calendar books are little gifts from heaven.
-If you are given an assignment, do it.
-Be kind to everyone, not just the people who are like you. Kindness can create unique friendships that you otherwise wouldn’t have.
-If someone is on your mind, pray for them.
-“Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” Sometimes, people don’t want advise. People just want to be heard. Listen.
-Find a friend and keep them. Even if you hardly ever see them, keep in touch.
-Tell your friends they are important to you.
-Learn what you like and then pursue it (even if you aren’t good at it)
-Peer pressure is certainly real, but it is not just with drugs and alcohol. You can be pressured into acting different, saying things you wouldn’t usually say, and giving up things you enjoy so you can be more like your peers.
-Surround yourself with people who encourage you. Don’t surround yourself with people who only tear you down or want you to change.
-Spend time with people who are older than you and can mentor you, but also people that are younger than you, so you can do the same for them.
-Do the hard thing. This could be a difficult class, confronting a friend, or going against what is normal. It’ll be worth it, just go for it.
-Sometimes, the things you thought you would be bad at is actually a talent that you just hadn’t discovered!
-Almost every bad situation can be a free life lesson if you let it be.
-Live in the moment you’re in. Don’t wish your life away, waiting for the next exciting thing to happen. Enjoy the moment you’re in.
High school, you’ve been cool. You’ve been difficult, full of emotions, fun, stressful, and unique. I’ll miss you, I know that for sure. I won’t miss certain aspects (The actual schooling) but I will miss going to classes, conquering an assignment, making new friends, and learning life lessons. Thanks for the four years, high school. So long- I’m off to a new adventure.
