Here I am, writing this article at 9 p.m. after the annual journalism banquet. I’ve sat in Hackneys three years in a row, and yet, I still haven’t learned the effects of procrastination.
I could write a book: “Leah’s Guide to What Not to Do in High School” because I honestly failed at comprehending this place.
So, incoming freshman, it’s a great thing I was given the suggestion to write this article for you guys.
#1: If you want to be the cool kid on campus, befriend Victor Pearlman.
#2: High school is sometimes portrayed in movies, books, or angst-y music as 4 years of torture. This statement is simple and naïve in its creation. I am at the end of my senior year and looking back at high school, as admittedly rough as it was at times, it strengthened me as a person.
In high school you gain more agency over your own life.
What most people fail to recognize are the limitless opportunities stuffed into these four years. Use this time to make experiences that you will take with you to find and learn yourself. They mold you into you. This is the basis of high school.
#3: Don’t be an edgy hipster like me and opt out of lunch; it’s a dumb idea. Fashion merchandising isn’t worth the hunger.
#4: And when it comes to grades, do not stress over them. Start doing your work for you, do the best job you can do. The good grades will follow your intrinsic effort. And isn’t that a cute, organic way to motivate yourself?
#5: Your advisory could be the worst or your fave part of the day.
Make it the latter.
#6: Never ever let the system knock you down. You didn’t get elected into Student Alliance? Who cares. Join the newspaper. New Trier is all competition and you must never let that get you down.
#7: Lastly. be yourself. Ew. Even typing that felt gross, so I’ll go wash my hands.
But it’s true.
High school personally taught me how to be comfortable in my own skin. It’s as if you walk through the doors as a freshman looking for a place to fit in.
Then, through the opportunities, personal growth and discovery, you leave as a strong and comfortable senior ready to take on the world as a unique and awesome individual.
The next four years of your life are filled with opportunities that could sway your life in any direction. Make sure you chose the things that make you happy, and stray away from things that make you sad.
Oh and #8: Stay away from those chicken nuggets in the cafeteria.