With my high school career coming to an end, I thought it would be smart to pass on 9 pieces of advice that I’ve learned during my time here at MHS. 

Surround yourself with the right people. Your friends will change throughout high school. Those long-time childhood friends and even those you met in middle school might start to drift apart. I used to put loads of time into mending and trying to save every relationship I had. It wasn’t until sophomore year that I realized some of my energy was better spent building relationships with the people that stayed in my life. Don’t worry about where others are going, focus on those that choose to stay with you. 

After you find the right people, you need to find the things that you love. I started out high school confused on what I wanted to contribute to. I swear I joined every club during club sign ups. I tried to do it all for three years. Then senior year, after COVID-19 when everything shut down, I found myself with more time and the activities that were truly important to me I still found a way to be involved in. Don’t try and do it all, pick the sports and clubs that mean the most to you and work hard at them. 

Now you’ve found what you love, so be a leader. Take time to learn all that you can while you’re an underclassman, so by the time you’re an upperclassman you can lead effectively and help teach the younger kids. It’s important to contribute to something bigger than yourself: in doing so you’re leaving a legacy that will carry on even after you graduate. Build a lasting legacy at MHS that will leave your club/sport/activity thriving. 

However, be patient. Change never happens overnight and neither will greatness. It’s okay to take the backseat while you’re still learning and let others take the wheel. Patience is a virtue and is very appreciated. Keeping calm and not blowing up will help you achieve and make connections with people easier, faster, and they’ll benefit both parties more. So, take a breath, you’re just getting started. 

You’ll need a strong work ethic if you want to survive all four years. Unfortunately, high school in the real world  is not like “High School Musical”l. You may miraculously break into song in the middle of the hallway, but you also will have to work your butt off if you want to succeed. Take the time to do assignments right and make them good. Doing things right the first time is way easier than doing mediocre work twice. Plus, if you put in the work, your grades will reflect your effort, you’ll be happier, your next step in life will be more attainable, and you’ll form better connections with your teachers. 

Despite what others might tell you, you’re not a teacher’s pet if you like your teachers. They actually are the best connection you have while in high school. Not only do they have the experience you need to succeed, but if you stay on their good side, they could become vital connections in the future. You won’t understand how important networking is until your last years in high school. You could be more qualified, but ultimately success is about the connections you have and the relationships you foster. 

One important thing I didn’t learn until my senior year was balance. Sweet blissful balance. I used to overload and work myself until I had mental breakdowns due to the stress. It was just a cycle. Easy days, hard work, stressing, testing and rest. This would continue over and over for the entirety of the year. Don’t overload yourself. Find that perfect balance between school, extracurriculars, friends, and work. Balance is bliss and bliss are serenity. 

I guarantee I’m not the first person to tell you this, but be yourself. Don’t worry about what you look like compared to others. Don’t worry about the opportunities or activities your friends are doing. Focus on yourself because in the end you are what matters. Follow your values. Be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to express yourself.   

Lastly, have fun. These four years will be some of the best in your entire life. You’ll make friends that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You’ll find teachers that will become your mentors and will eventually become your friends. You’ll make memories that will last forever. These years though, go so fast, so fast. Take it all in because it flashes by. Make the most of it because time is short. Please if you take one thing away from this article it’s this; the destinations only half of it, enjoy the journey on the way there.