Now that my senior year is coming to an end, I’ve begun to reminisce on my past four years spent in classrooms, study rooms and the school library. Part of that reminiscing has opened up my mind to all the things I spent so much time believing mattered that didn’t matter nearly as much as I thought. I wish someone would’ve told me that so much of what I knew to be important really wasn’t and, in reality, was just a waste of my time. I’ve put together a list of four things I wish I would’ve known before my four years of high school – a list of things I wasted my time worrying and caring about when I should’ve been focused on more important things.

1: Don’t be afraid of new things and experiences; connect with others. Join clubs and be outgoing. Try your best, and nothing else matters. Remember to always be kind to everyone you meet and never exclude others. It’s so easy to let fear overcome the desire to meet new people and your willingness to step out of your comfort zone, but in the end, it’s better to live a life of hope instead of regret. Hope that every new experience is a positive one, and uplift yourself at all times, even the scary ones. 

2: It’s okay to put your mental health before school. Sure, it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone and take those hard classes, but listen to yourself and know your limits. School is only a fraction of the complex life you will continue to live. It’s easy to forget that we don’t need to be the best at everything. Put the need to rest before the need to be the best. Live a fulfilling life outside of academics, and remember that it’s okay to take breaks. On those really hard days when you’re overloaded with school work and stressed, take an hour to go sit in a café and calm down. It’s important to take time to get away from the stress and anxiety of school work.

3: Drama doesn’t matter. Whatever is all-consuming in the moment won’t be in a year. Sometimes it’s hard to ignore the question of why people do what they do, but it’s important to remember that we as humans, especially teenagers, are growing little by little every day. High school is the time when we learn maturity and build relationships, and that comes with bumps in the road. Friend groups will change, and people will grow. Bonds fall apart, but there will always be sunshine after the rain. It’s okay to ignore the negativity and move on with your life. Forgiveness is powerful, and friendships will be hard to navigate, and that’s okay. Never let anyone tell you that you don’t belong. You are deserving of love and happiness, despite anything that may come your way.

4: Don’t take a large course load in your senior year. School is easier once you learn how to prepare for the classes you have and organize your workload. Take notes and study them, bond with your teachers and understand your classes better. Attending class is important. No matter how hard your class is or how smart you are, attempt every assignment and write everything down in an organized place. It will help you to bond with your teachers and understand your classes better. You will avoid so much stress later on by having well-taken notes and good study habits. It doesn’t always need to be stressful or difficult.