Advice from Freshman to Senior Year (High School)

This is a recycled post from my past blog, but I think the content is still relevant and will be helpful to someone:

Freshman

To all those who are about to finish their first year of high school, congratulations! Looking back, that must have been the best year out of them all (for me at least). At first, I was scared of the thought of being in classes without my friends, while also looking forward to leaving behind all the drama and bullying of middle school. For coming, make sure to be more involved in school activities and outside service projects. P.S. start taking those ACTs and/or SATs in the April of your sophomore year!

Sophomore

Look at you, moving on up in the world. You are finally going to be called an upperclassman in a couple of months! I'd have to call this the most laid back year of high school. Most of our class time was dedicated to state-standardized tests, so this year was a breeze for most people. I made sure to use this opportunity to be involved in more activities, branch out, and try to make friends with students in other grades. This means you have to take on extra responsibilities and be a leader. And don't be so quick to judge the lower classmen next year–everyone was a freshman once.

Junior

I gotta hand it to you, this was probably the most critical year of high school. Fun-filled with GPA rankings, 8-page papers, and more ACTs. But you made it through! Start focusing on a couple colleges you'd like to visit (a must), and apply early! By early, I mean apply before late October of senior year and make sure all your required documents make it to the university. I'd advise: Do Not rely on your high school to take care of everything. My high school ended up not properly printing my information on the transcripts I sent to admissions, which cost me a two-month delay on my acceptance letters. Other friends of mine lost guaranteed scholarships. Be on your 'A' game!

Senior

Pretty much done, right? Think again. Stay on top of those grades till the very end, because colleges still care about your effort until the very last quarter and some request a final transcript. In these last coming weeks, cherish the good, be grateful of all the bad things you won't have to encounter anymore, and look forward to the new. Take a deep breath and give yourself a pat on the back. The most stress filled year, was also the most life changing year. With all the upcoming decisions, decide on what it best for yourself based on your values.

Photo by Dan Cook on Unsplash