10 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew In High School

Sometimes people are left with not knowing the things they should have done throughout high school. People from all different angles are pouring words out that go straight through your brain without you thinking about it. But there are some words that should stick to people, ones that will help and guide them throughout high school, like these:

1. People change, you change.

A lot of the time, people who were friends in middle school fall apart. There is nothing to worry about. Eventually you will find someone or many new friends, even if it takes an entire year or two like it did for me. And throughout high school, those people who were your friends will change, for better or for worse-that is how it is. High school is a new environment and experience for everyone, and people develop and grow – even yourself!

2. Grades should matter to you.

I wish I knew during freshman year that there were scholarships, grants, and bursaries for obtaining great marks. Your grades are pretty darn important, for the sake of getting into a good college/university and it will help to have a good work ethic. Even knowing the marks you are able to obtain is such a great accomplishment and feeling. If you never try, you will never know what you are capable of.

3. Failure is not the end, but the beginning.

Even the kid who has an average of 99.9% and a GPA of 4.0 fails. You are going to fail in friendships, relationships, academically, etc. High school is a new beginning for everyone; it is a place to learn from mistakes. The world is not going to end as a result if you failed a test or screwed up with someone. Although, remember it is not the last time you will mess up, and there will be many times, but learning from those mistakes is what will help you.

4. Challenge yourself and take risks.

Take a risk! Challenge yourself to do things that are out of your comfort zone. Sign up for the basketball team or join the book club – study for an entire week instead of playing video games for 10 hours. There is nothing wrong with experimenting, seeing what you like, or figuring out what you could do to help improve your academic habits.

But if there is really something you know that is not worth the time, effort, or energy to do, don’t do it – don’t do it just because someone says you should.

5. Skipping class one time will not ruin your entire life.

I have to say, there is nothing wrong with skipping class one time, but don’t be me during senior year and miss 45 days out of an entire semester for nothing. But really, no one is going to kill you for skipping one time. But remember, do not skip class the day that there is a lesson. Missing a lesson is the worst to do because having peers tell you about the lesson is not always the best and some people just get annoyed having to explain everything. Many students just need that one day to just reset their brains so they don’t go crazy. Others may be really having a extremely bad day, and if that is the case, don’t go to class because it really won’t help.

6. Balance

You will have to learn to juggle with many things happening in your life whether it be academics and/or work. I had to learn the hard way of procrastinating throughout all four years to now realize that I need to stop and figure out what works well for me. My grade 12 English teacher taught me that there is no hurt in handling one thing at a time instead of three or four. For all freshmen, this is the first time for all of you to understand what time management is and distinguish how to handle it.

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7. Volunteering hours are great.

For many high schools, volunteering hours are needed to graduate. And I know for many students, the thought of volunteering brings horror, but it actually is very good. There are scholarships, bursaries, and awards for students who volunteer. It’s also good for learning more about oneself and one’s weaknesses and strengths that could help them at school. Knowing that you can make a difference in someone else’s life is rewarding and it brings insight and different perspective into life.

8. Enjoy it as much as you can.

Whether you are a jock, smoke-pit kid, or a loner, there are many things to do inside and outside of school. Remember that even if you feel like there is nothing for you to do at school, there very well could be something. My high school had everything from a knitting club to a Dungeon and Dragons club. Don’t look at high school as the gate to hell, but try to live to the fullest. Maybe one day you will be able to tell your children or someone about that day the guys in the foyer were playing with a basketball and threw it into the huge glass window, breaking it. Finding high school boring does nothing for you. It is never good to have negative thoughts towards a place that you have to attend every single day for 10 months.

9. It is okay to be scared.

Four years is not a lot, but a lot does happen in four years. There is nothing wrong with being scared of what will happen during high school. Sometimes you have to just go with the flow. I always said how I was never scared or concerned with what would happen during my four years. In reality, I stayed up many nights thinking about it and not admitting to myself that we all are entering a new beginning. That beginning is the bound that holds us together until we succeed freshman year and surpass senior year.

10. You haven’t seen nothin’ yet.

High school is a chance to learn about yourself and figure out who you are. It is a chance for many people to experience things out of their comfort zone and learn from mistakes. But within the walls, there is not much you will see until you leave. It’s really only a small part in your life that flies by. Once you pass, though, is the time when you really get to see life for what it is and see where it takes you.

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