Stop And Smell The Roses by Josh

Stop And Smell The Roses by Josh - March 2019 Scholarship Essay

If I was leading a tour of my high school to incoming freshmen, I would advise them to stop and smell the roses. It's a very popular phrase simply meaning that you should live in the moment and enjoy what's in the present before it's gone. High school should be one of the most fun times of your life, but too many people spend it getting caught up in drama, complaining about trivial things, or stressing too much about their future.

I remember when I was freshman I thought 4 years of high school sounded like a very long time, and it seemed like the upperclassmen were so much older than me. Now that I am a senior and I am in my final semester of high school, it feels like freshman year was such a long time ago because of how fast everything's flown by. I see and hear a lot of freshman and sophomores talking and acting like they've got all the time in the world before they graduate. In reality, you have very little time in high school, and most of us haven't made the most of our short time here.

High School, especially these last 2 years of it, have been by far the best time of my life. In contrast, the first 2 years of high school could have been much better. I put off pursuing my real passion, soccer, to play high school football because I thought playing football would give me a better chance to be some sort of stud where all the girls would like me and all the guys would respect me because I was some tough guy on the football team. I think a lot of people have done the same thing in other ways- not doing what they love because it's not the coolest thing in other people's opinion. The summer going into my Junior year, I decided to quit football and just play soccer year round on a club team. That is the single best decision I have made so far. I know this is what I'm meant to do, and I feel myself whenever I have a ball at my feet. I would encourage any incoming freshmen to do what they love and never look back or think twice about it. It's near impossible to stop and smell the roses, live in the moment, and enjoy the present if you're not doing what you love.

When I was a Freshmen and Sophomore I also didn't branch out enough and try to meet new people, make new friends, or spend a lot of time with friends I already have. That is my second biggest regret of my life so far. Instead of hanging out with friends, I would often just stay home and play video games or watch movies on the couch. I was also in a relationship for most of this time, and I prioritized my girlfriend over my long time friends. I've noticed quite a few people in high school that have made the same mistakes as me too. Now that I am willing to sacrifice video games for time with friends, and I have learned my lesson not to put a temporary girlfriend above your real friends, I am much happier and closer with the people in my life. I am also going out of state for college next year, and this has given me a reality check that I'm never again going to be able to spend as much time with the friends I've made as I am right now. Because of this, I have cherished this past year more than any other year, and because of that it has been the most fun and memorable. There's no way to live in the moment and enjoy the now if you aren't doing it with your friends and loved ones.

The way I like to think of it is like this: When you look back on your high school years would you rather be regretful you didn't make the most of it, or glad that you made great memories with great people and you weren't afraid to be yourself?