As I write potentially the last column I will ever write for Rampage, I am excitedly-yet-anxiously awaiting the day I put on the cap and gown and officially graduate high school. While I could write a whole separate column on my thoughts about life after high school, I find that to be not nearly as interesting as my thoughts on my high school career.
Four years is a long time, yet at the same time it isn’t. I remember the first day of freshman year almost as vividly as the first day of senior year. It all can go by in the blink of an eye, at least it did for me. Now, as I look back on the short few years of high school, I want to use this column as a reflection on the lessons learned, and hopefully I can impart some senior wisdom onto the underclassmen.
The first lesson learned: don’t be afraid to take a risk. If you want to take an AP but you’re scared it won’t work out, take it anyway. Maybe it won’t work out. But learning about yourself happens best through mistakes and failures, and now is a great time to make mistakes. It will pay off in the future.
This isn’t just about classes, but also for extracurriculars and sports. Try out for the soccer team, try out for chamber strings, go to that club meeting. High school is more than just your transcript and Spring-Ford has so much to offer, so take advantage of it while you can.
Next lesson: have a connection with your teachers. This also applies to guidance counselors, but develop at least one connection with a teacher that lasts longer than the time you are taking their class. These are the people that will write your letters of recommendation, that will advocate for you and will challenge you to be better. They will also be there for you in your times of struggle, which will come along no matter how good you are at doing school.
From my own experience, my teachers and guidance counselor made high school so much better. They took the time after school to help me (especially precalc), they took time out of their busy schedules to check in with me, and they inspired the confidence in me to be a better student, better leader, and a better person. There’s no shortage of teachers who care, and if you can’t find one, you’re not looking properly.
Lastly, enjoy your senior year. There’s so much to look forward to, so many opportunities to make this the most memorable year, so enjoy it fully. Don’t overload yourself with work and hard classes, it will dampen the fun of senior year occasionally. This doesn’t mean take a vacation, but just don’t make it the most academically challenging year for yourself. Especially considering college applications, financial aid, scholarships, and all the paperwork that comes with it will take up a considerable amount of your time.
In regards to what you have to look forward to, there is plenty. Aside from the obvious one of graduation and finally receiving that coveted diploma, you will have Decision Day (missing class to hang out with friends and family), Impact Awards, which is when that connection with your teacher will be recognized, and various other privileges you get to enjoy. The best is being able to leave early or come in late, or both if you work your schedule the right way. In any case, it really is true when it comes to the rumors surrounding senior year; it is the most memorable year.
I hope these words will not fall on deaf ears, and that with this last column, I can help a fellow Spring-Ford student make their high school at least a little more enjoyable.
