Get Involved.

Senior year is an exciting and nerve-racking time. It is full of many football tailgates and hockey games. However, these only last a season, then they are over. Senior year flies by. Even though you might be chomping at the bit to get out of this school, don’t wish it away so fast. It is where you learn who you are as a person and meet lifelong friends.

You will hear advice from parents, siblings, teachers, the administration, and friends, but here is some advice from me, a senior who is about to graduate.

1. High school doesn’t last forever. Even though sometimes it may seem like it’s never ending–– it does come to an end, and when it does you realize how fast it went by.
2. Join any activity or sport: it’s worth it. You will meet your best friends through your activities and learn leadership and teamwork. It can be trying out for a team or going out for the play. Whatever sounds interesting, go for it. For instance, I chose to manage girls’ hockey this year, and I got to make many new relationships with girls on the team and my co-manager. During  my sophomore year I went out for the girls’ golf team––with no experience at all––and made the practice team, but  now I am on varsity. Through the golf team, I have obviously learned about the game of golf, but so much more; some of my best friends are on that team, and I am so grateful that I joined when I was a sophomore.
3. Take classes you will enjoy. Don’t take a class you know you will hate just to be able to put it on your transcript for college. I did that, and I hated every minute of it. Yes, you want to take some AP classes to make your courses rigorous, but also throw in some classes that you will enjoy. Consider trying yearbook, Knight Errant, painting, film studies, or debate. Whatever you might find fun, take it.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Yes, teachers can be intimidating and walking in before school can seem like the scariest thing in the world, but trust me, it’s worth it. If you don’t understand something in math, walk in to your teacher’s room before school and say you don’t get it. If your teacher isn’t available that’s no excuse. There is a great math center in the library with multiple teachers willing to help. Say, you’re good at math, but not so great at English; have a teacher read your essay before you turn it in. The writing center is also right in the library and is full of English teachers who are more than willing to read your paper and tear it to shreds to ensure that you fix it and get it to where it needs to be.
5. Don’t judge others––everyone has their own story. That popular kid may be having the worst year of their life, and you are sitting there gossiping about his or her outfit. That jock may have parents who are splitting up, but you’re too busy to even notice that he or she might be upset. You may get out of bed every morning and put a smile on your face even though you’re not happy all the time. Be nice to everyone because everyone you know is fighting a battle you have no idea about. You never know what is going on behind the mask someone might put up, so treat everyone with respect and kindness.