thebabyperks

As a senior in high school I have a little bit of knowledge on the topic of high school. Everybody has a different opinion of high school, and I can honestly say I don't love it, however, I still do my best to enjoy it. With all of that being said I  thought I would compile a list of what I would wish to tell my freshman year self and other freshmen currently. I guess I should've posted this before school started but now that I'm back in the swing of things I feel more equipped.

1. Get Involved
I made a YouTube video about this back in April so click here if you would like to watch that. From the moment you walk through your high school's doors they preach to you to get involved. Just do it. It makes high school a little bit less miserable if you have people to share your experiences with. For example, newspaper. We are all a bunch of sarcastic, somewhat-negative people who love to write. I don't know where I'd be without them, and they are definitely one of my favorite (if not my absolute favorite) part of high school.

2. Have a Four Year Plan
Plan out the classes you want to take, it's okay if they change, but at least map out when you want to take your required classes (aka classes you need to graduate). You want to do this so you don't end up like me, taking Personal Finance first hour of first semester, and general music second hour ALL YEAR. I'm glad I waited for personal finance because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to take Intro to Marketing, but I definitely regret waiting to take a fine art. Now I'm stuck learning about the marching french horn and marimba for a year. Get your required classes out of the way so as your high school "career" continues you can take more classes that you actually want to take.

PS: you could also graduate a semester early. I can't do this because I have to get a full year of a fine art. At this point in the school year graduating early sounds beautiful, and we're only 16 days in so...

3. Embrace Change
I'm weird because I hate change. Ever since 8th grade I had determined where I wanted to go to college, which may seem a bit drastic but as many of you know, I'm obsessed with planning. I visited this college back in the fall of last year and could totally see myself there. But then I went on a few more college visits, some places I absolutely hated, but one place I loved a little bit more than my "first college choice". To put it simply, I was conflicted. I knew where I wanted to go to college for 4 years of my life basically and never considered anything different. At Drury, though, I truly felt like I could live there. I haven't officially gotten my acceptance letters for any of the schools I've applied to, I'm expecting them in the next two weeks. However, I feel like Drury is the place I want to spend my time (and money) on. Again, I'll give you all the run down in a future blog post. Overall, just be open to different colleges because you may be set on what you want until you visit another college and realize how much more you love that one.

4. Be Friends With Your Parents
I am super close with my parents, especially my mom, and there is no one better to be friends with then your parents. They are always going to be there for you whether it's with picking classes for next year, bringing you your favorite food when your sick, or just needing someone to talk to. Don't underestimate your parents, they were teenagers once, too.

PS: Don't forget to spend time with them. Go out to lunch with them or go see a movie, do something together because soon you'll be going off to college or the army, or whatever, and you'll want to have those memories.

5. Don't Let The Past Hold You Back
Life happens. Maybe your best friend from middle school ditched you on the first day of high school, or you got cut from a sports team or the musical cast. Don't let any of that affect the rest of your four years. Go find something else you're passionate about and show yourself that what you're doing instead makes you way happier. For example, I didn't make cheerleading freshman year, if you know me you know I could NEVER be a cheerleader. Even thinking about being a cheerleader makes me laugh out loud. I started swimming instead, and even though I was crushed when I didn't make cheer, swim was a way better option (and the team is way more my personality than the cheer team is).

So those are a few of my tips. I felt like I rambled, so I apologize if you guys think I did too. I hope they help some of you, in some shape or form.


Until next time,
Taylor xx