What I wish I had done differently and what I'm glad I did.
1. Not given a sh*t about body image (There’s a reason this is #1)
Holy wow I cannot tell you how much time and effort was wasted on this. I know girls probably hear this all the time (especially now with amazing campaigns for all women from Brands like Aerie and Kohl’s) but seriously, it does not matter. SO LISTEN UP LADIES. You really are beautiful and no size, scale, or piece of fabric will ever be able to tell you an accurate measure of that. Live your life. Ignore boys and girls who make you think otherwise. And in case you think I’m preaching too much (which I probably am), take it from iconic actress Sophia Loren:
2. Done more community service
You can never help out enough in your community or in those around you and as busy as I was in high school, some of my favorite moments were doing community service. And if you're at home and looking for some opportunities or want more of an adventure, here are two of my favorite sites to use:
3. Practiced good study habits (that really came in clutch for college)
Notecards, discussion, and re-reading notes were some of my best study exercises to help me prepare for an exam. As tedious as these can be, it was so beneficial to make them second-nature when studying so I didn’t have to scramble when the first semester of college finally rolled around. Overall, it helped me feel prepared and well-adjusted.
4. Visited a teacher for extra help or even just to talk
I know this one can be daunting especially in high school, but I cannot tell you how many times a teacher cut me a break or cut extra time out in their schedule that totally changed my experience and perception of the class. One class I really struggled in at first was AP U.S. History (or fondly referred to as APUSH for fellow veterans) and genuinely thought the teacher hated me. But by the end of the year, because of the extra study and discussion sessions with my teacher after school, we ended on great terms and are still in contact to this day.
5. Wrote “Thank You” cards at the end of each year
With that said, middle school and high school teachers, in my opinion, are some of the most important unsung heroes of our society. They definitely aren't compensated enough and yet can be the difference in our success in school and even upbringing. Much like parents, they do so much that we don’t see and usually don’t receive the proper thanks for it. Believe me, they wouldn’t be in their line of work if they didn’t want to see you succeed, so the least we can do it show our appreciation.
6. Worked in theatre and sports
Sure, my high school had its cliques but not to the extent that we see in some movies (and unfortunately real life). There was certainly space between these two but playing sports and working in the theatre department helped me extinguish any stereotypes I might’ve had about “Jocks”, “Theatre Geeks”, or any other stratified social groups in case High School Musical didn't do it for ya.
7. Not stressed so much over grades (this is relative)
Just like our bodies, our minds are not meant to be perfect. Sometimes we ace a test and sometimes we don’t. Either way, it’s all a learning experience and one of the best things you can do (especially when thinking about colleges) is to show improvement. Universities would rather have someone who is committed to learning and bettering themselves than some high-strung student who’s going to crash the second they step foot on a college campus. And in the grand scheme of things, as terrible as it sounds, they really won’t matter 5 years later anyway.
8. Took a foreign language
I ALSO CANNOT STRESS THIS ONE ENOUGH. Speaking another language has opened so many doors and allowed me to meet so many people I wouldn’t have otherwise. Statistically, people who speak another language have proven to be more creative and better problem solvers. So go ahead, hop on Duolingo or Babbel or any other language learning app. You’ll be glad you did.
9. Took intensive Language Arts classes
Guys, I totally get it, some of us hate books and are waaayyy better at math and science than articulating our thoughts about complex social strata in the 1800s while reading Oscar Wilde’s, The Importance of Being Earnest. HOWEVER. Learning to write our thoughts down in a cohesive and analytical manner truly helps us outside of the classroom whether it’s settling a debate with friends or writing an email to a future employer and impressing them with your kickass cover letter. Either way, no matter where your strengths lie, I would strongly encourage you to challenge yourself and try out those higher-level Language Arts/ Literature/ Composition classes.
Until next time,
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