Knowing What I Know Now by Hailey

Knowing What I Know Now by Hailey - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

As an eighth grader soon going into ninth grade I was so excited yet scared for this new chapter of my life. Now as a junior in high school I realize I would've greatly appreciated the advice and guidance of others before me. High school isn't as big and bad as the shows and movies will make it seem. My three most important tips to any younger students would be to always apply yourself, challenge yourself, and set goals.
Anyone will tell you, nobody likes the freshmen and it's true. They're young, immature, and crazy. However don't let that alter your performance in school; you are there to learn, not make friends with everyone. One of the biggest mistakes young students will make in high school is not applying themselves with their utmost potential from the very start. Ask any upperclassman and they will always say the one thing they wish they would've done throughout their high school experience would've been to try harder their first couple of years. Every year counts and will contribute to your overall gpa.
Honors and AP classes will either help or hurt you. Many students take these classes to challenge themselves and make themselves look more appealing to colleges. Yes it is true that colleges will look for those honors and AP classes, but don't overwork yourself. Make sure you do what you can handle and if you play sports make sure you have the time study and to do the sometimes excess amount of work you will get in these classes. Everything you do now will effect your future, Including the bad things! I would highly suggest taking challenging courses as long as you can handle it but remember these courses come with summer projects and lots of work. Always know what you're getting yourself into.
Last but not least, set goals for yourself. Goals are set in place to motivate you and improve your performance. Once you reach a goal, set a new one. Never give up; if you get a bad grade on a test and your goal was to pass with flying colors, don't get down on yourself. Use that test as a learning lesson and as motivation to do well on the next one. Said by Earl Nightingale, "People with goals succeed because they know where they're going" meaning there will be obstacles to overcome along the way but with motivation to accomplish a goal you can always find a way to get there. That is a quote I have always remembered throughout the years to keep me hungry and motivated for success.
Knowing what I know now there are many things I would share with younger students but most importantly I would tell them to apply yourself, challenge yourself and set goals. All the hard work you do now pays off in the end. Never settle for less and always do your best.