I don’t remember what impression of high school I entered with, but I know it was warm and welcoming: studying with eager motivation, branching out into organizations and meeting new friends and acquaintances.
I centered my freshman and sophomore year around academics, and received the good grades I thought deemed my worth. These years were a little bland, a little monotonous, but it wasn’t particularly bad. That alone was enough to keep me going.
Somewhere along the way, however, the journey became an emotional one. There was parental pressure and half-hearted motivation. There were pent up frustrations over academics, social life and home life. There was bulldozing past problems I didn’t want to face.
There were degrading emotions pushed aside in lieu of continuing on—or in reality, scraping by—to imitate a sense of progression in my life. Most of all, however, there was an overwhelming sense of just always being tired.
I struggled through my rigorous junior year schedule, emerging at the end a bit broken, a bit weary but overall intact. Time healed my wounded confidence and mended me back to my optimistic, buoyant freshman self, now more mature.
It hurt to heal, to adjust to the sudden depressions that still seem to hit here and there and to understand my friends are only joking about the little flaws in me. It’s still a little weighted, but ultimately, my world recovered. Here I am today: graduating soon and leaving for UCLA.
So now that my journey is over, here is from me to you. High school isn’t painless but don’t let that deter you. I think there’s an emotional struggle in all of us some days, but I hope your four years here turn out better than mine.
Treasure the little things.
Sure, it’s a little cliché, but let these things push you: the warm, lazy afternoons after Track practice, the quick boba runs after school to Half and Half with close friends, the meaningless memes late at night. They’re small but bask in these little bits of happiness. Sometimes, it’s all you really have in this emotional torrent of grades and extracurriculars.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Whether it’s academic or emotionally related, asking for help is never a weakness. It’s a sign of recognition and growth, something important you’ll need in the future. I fared my emotional struggle alone, and looking back, I wish I hadn’t. I did ask, however, my senior year teachers for college advice.
Your friends, teachers and counselors as well as organizations like Peer Listeners care for your well-being. Help is available wherever and whenever you need it. Understand when to ask for it.
Remember there is a future past these four years.
High school feels so pressuring and burdensome, yet it’s only a small piece of your life, not even full quarter of it. Grades are important, but they’re not everything these four years are about.
Remember, this is your life, not your parents. Pursue what you like, join the clubs and sport teams you want and make the most of your time here. I guarantee you’ll be much more happier, and when it comes down to it, being happy is all you really need.