As a sophomore, soon to be junior, one of the biggest things I have taken away from my high school experience thus far is to not take school too seriously.
All of our parents and teachers tell us to enjoy high school while it lasts because the real world sucks. Deep down we know they a right, but not enough of us listen to this advice, including myself.
Throughout my freshman year, I thought grades should be my number one priority. I spent hours upon hours studying and making sure everything I did was perfect. Throughout this time, I came to realize that I could not remember the last time I had went and hung out with my friends. It felt that I was not making my high school experience as memorable as if could have been.
I know now that grades are still important and I should still set forth a valiant effort when doing my school work. That being said, I have come to realize that one or two B’s will not keep me from getting into a good college. I should not spend all of my time worrying about whether or not I will graduate with a 4.0 or not, because frankly, it isn’t the most important thing in the world.
High school is supposed to allow us to learn and experience new things in order to make ourselves more well rounded individuals, not teach us how to compare ourselves to others because of a number on our transcript.
Grades are not going to be the thing I remember most about highschool. Yes, I am proud that I had a 4.1 GPA, but the thing I will remember 50 years from now will not be my scores on tests and papers. The things I will remember will be the memories I created through homecoming, Wish Week and my spending time with friends.
When everyone in MV Media was asked about their favorite part of school, not a single one of them said anything about their grades. Earning good grades is important, but you should not make it the most important aspect of high school.
I firmly believe that we should all focus on creating more experience for ourselves, beyond sitting at a desk studying for hours. A study from U.S. News reports that students can spend up to 17.5 hours a week doing homework, so, give yourself a break from what seems like the never ending abyss of worksheets and flashcards in order to do something that will create a better overall picture of your high school experience.
To sum it up, school work is important, but it is also important to go out, make memories and have fun when you can. My advice for you next year is to go to the activities during homecoming and Wish Week, go to sporting events, plays, choir and band concerts, and try at least one new thing next year. Meet as many new people as you can, and build relationships with those people because that is what you will remember about high school.
Take advantage of everything our school has to offer you because your high school years are supposed to be the best years of your life, but, only if that is the way you make them.
