Advice for Future High School Students by Eutnice

Advice for Future High School Students by Eutnice - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

Before going into high school most kids think that it will not be a big change from middle school and that it would be super easy to maintain high grades. But if there was one piece of information or advice that I wish someone would have given me before I started high school, it would be to make sure you don’t let anyone, no matter who they are, hold you back.
When it comes to making big decisions, it is ok to ask for advice from close friends and family, but never let their input or opinions stop you from succeeding in what you want in life. Throughout your educational career, you will have to make quite a few big choices that will leave a huge impact on who you grow up to be. Along with theses life choices, will come plenty of criticism from your peers and elders, but don’t let that ever deter you from your chosen path in life.
For me when I was in high school I let a very close friend of mine tell me what to do and not to do, which affected me very negatively. He had convinced me to not go to the college of my choice, I stopped studying, and I even allowed my grades to drop, because I was so distracted by him. I was so committed to him, and only him, that I changed who I was and became a person I couldn’t even recognize. Through this situation I was taught to not “dwell on what went wrong; instead, focus on what to do next.” After I noticed all the bad my friend had brought into my life I made a decision to not allow anyone to determine what I want out of my life.
I know from personal experience that it is easy to let people’s opinion get in the way, but my advice to younger generations is to stay focused, study, and keep your eyes on the prize.