By EVELYN GOYETTE
As the end of my senior year fast approaches, I have begun to look back on my high school years. The biggest thing that I thought about when looking back is whether or not I have any regrets. The answer to that is mostly no. I put myself out there and I’ve really pushed myself to try new things, meet lots of new people and make new friends. But some of that was a little difficult to figure out in the beginning. As a freshman just starting school, as well as during my sophomore and junior years, occasionally, I was a little confused and in need of advice. So, I’ve decided to impart a bit of wisdom that I, as well as a few other seniors, have learned throughout our years at Masuk.
The first piece of advice comes from Mia Briggs. She recommends, “Work hard but don’t take it too seriously, and remember to do what makes you happy.” Although it is very important to take your grades and classes seriously, it’s okay to make mistakes. If you make a mistake once in a while, it’s not a very big deal and you can absolutely bounce back from it. Make sure not to be too hard on yourself and ensure that you enjoy your high school years; don’t just spend the entire time studying and hyper-fixating on your grades. Also, take the time in high school to find what makes you happy. That could be a hobby, a class, or a friend group; but find something that brings you true joy during these four years.
The second piece of advice comes from Aidan Haughney. His biggest piece of advice for underclassmen is “Don’t think that college is your only option.” Now, I just want to clarify that this doesn’t mean that you should not try to do well in school by any means. Aidan is a senior who is not going into college but has rather opted to go down the trade path. This piece of advice is meant to remind those who may not feel as though they are suited for the traditional college path that college isn’t for everyone. There are alternative ways to further your education in something that may better suit you. Though many people go down the college path, and sometimes it may feel as though this is the only next step in your life after high school, that is not the case. Talk to your guidance counselors if this is a path that you may be considering rather than the traditional college route, and they can provide you with the resources and assistance to help you to succeed.
The next piece of advice comes from Jackie Cohen. She wants to encourage underclassmen to “Get out of your comfort zone, do things that make you anxious because in the end you’ll be happy that you did. Do good and thus feel good. Where you are isn’t where you’re going to be forever.” You only have one high school experience, so you might as well make the most of it. Although high school can be new and scary when you first get here, it’s really not too bad and there’s a plethora of opportunities waiting for you. Get out of your comfort zone by branching out, meeting new people, trying new things, and joining new clubs. By getting out of your comfort zone, you’re open to a world of opportunities; seize them and make the most of it. Even if it might seem scary, join the club you’re interested in, and try a new hobby. Even if these things don’t necessarily work out, you’ll have learned from them and that makes all the difference. Remember, you’re only here for 4 years, and you only have so much time; even if you don’t love high school, it’s not here for long. So, try to enjoy it as much as you can, and try to change the lives around you as positively as possible. Though it might not make the biggest difference to you, it could make a monumental difference to somebody else.
The last piece of advice comes from me, Evelyn Goyette. My biggest piece of advice to those younger than me is to enjoy it, these are the last real years of your youth. Spend time with friends, do well in school, and make the most of your experience. I promise you it will fly by, and before you know it, you’ll be accepting your diploma. As a freshman, it always seems as though you have all the time in the world before you graduate high school. But I can assure you, when you get to be a junior or senior, you realize that that’s not true. Your time here is fleeting, so why not make the most of it. Branch out, make new connections, and push yourself to excel academically. Most of all though, enjoy it and have fun. Best of luck to you, and hopefully you’ll take some advice from a few of the members of the class of 2023.
Masuk Free Press 