By Kaylee Eiber
Editor-in-Chief
“My favorite season is fall!” “My favorite season is summer!” My favorite season is senior season.
As an underclassman, I LOVED listening to seniors share advice on teachers, classes, college applications and everything that defines the famous final year. To freshman year me: here’s what I wish I knew.
Positive Mentality
As it’s infamous for, junior year was undoubtedly my most difficult year. I entered senior year with no direction and a raging hatred for everything I previously used as my escape from life.
With my new role as band president, I sat down with Mrs. Kidd as she urged me to lead with a “positive possum” attitude.
Though I initially laughed it off, I had her words running through my mind every single time I addressed the band and it made a world of difference.
I realized that the single conversation marked my shift in mentality and I began enjoying school again. This was 100% the most pivotal advice I received and it’s only right to share this piece first.
School is Actually Fun
While the rest are pieces of wisdom I learned with time, “school is fun” was one I‘ve had from the start. Attend dances, go to games, try out for classes and cheer loudly for your friends.
Media glamorizes the high school experience for a reason: it’s genuinely fun. In my experience, those with a “too cool for school” mindset leave with the most regrets, and I am proud to say that I will not be one of those people!
Quitting is Okay
As smart as it is to push yourself, I would not be here if I didn’t quit. In seventh grade, I made a decision that almost wrote my narrative for me. Though quitting it four years later was undoubtedly the hardest decision I’ve ever made, I commend the strength of the girl who finally did it.
Instead of toughing it out, I stopped sacrificing my own happiness. I changed my entire path and finally did something for myself. This leads to my next piece of advice…
Do Things on your Own
An “I’ll do it if you do it” friend only takes you so far. While the people around you can push you to try new things, they can also hold you back.
I spent sophomore and junior year joining activities for those around me, preferring to be with friends even if it meant sacrificing my own willingness.
Senior year came as a secret blessing, forcing me to do things for myself. My decisiveness and confidence skyrocketed, only letting people see how far I’ve come.
Don’t Listen to Me
As much as I could have used these tidbits of advice, ultimately, the hardest truth I learned was taking all advice with a grain of salt. At the end of the day, the only way to move forward is through experience.
As second semester progresses, I probably still won’t take half of my advice. Yet, a feat not many can stand behind: I can confidently declare that I have no high school regrets.