A grain of salt- high school survival guide

Bria Lamonica, Editor-in-chief

We all wonder, what makes one person stand out from the next? Who decides who is who in high school, who tells you if you’re bound to be a jock, book worm, future-engineer, class-cutter? In high school, the most important thing is figuring out who you are as a person and who you want to become. That’s the whole point of high school anyway, right? To prepare us for the real world and life after our teen years so we aren’t just thrown into the mix and confusion of adult life. Even though we know what we should be thinking about in high school, do any of us actually know who we are? We define ourselves by the groups of people we hang around, by the clubs and activities we get involved in and even by the classes we take. But the few things no one tells us when we start high school might be the most important things we need to know.

  1. When parents say to stand out in high school, they don’t stress the fact that you NEED to. Standing out in high school not only makes your four years a lot more memorable; it makes you remembered by the school. Being known and not just a standard cookie-cutter graduate in the millions of other high school students on the same path helps separate you from the sea of other fishes when it comes time for college applications. Colleges look for students who have made a name for themselves, and for students who they feel might be a positive addition to their university. No one wants a student in their school who just blends in and meshes with the crowd, never serving a use or purpose.
  2. Count your blessings, literally. In high school there are good days and bad, and that’s the truth. When you get an A on a test or a 100 on a homework, revel in that. Don’t just worry about the bad days, and focus on the things that made your day not-so-smile worthy, be grateful for the little good things, your days will be so much brighter and happier. And who doesn’t like happy days?
  3. Participate, no matter how much you don’t want to show up to that pep rally or attend that school dance, participating in school events will make high school so much fun. Missing out on prom, homecoming, Monzo, and other activities may not seem like a big deal at the time, but looking back at high school and not having the typical cliche prom picture will leave you with regrets. Just go for it, your older self will thank you later.

All in all, make the best of the time you spend in high school, cherish the friends you make and memories that you can take with you for the rest of your life. Going to prom, participating in volunteer events and athletics, and getting involved can really improve your overall quality of high school. It’s never too late to take everything high school throws at you with a grain of salt, and appreciate the good things in life.