Create Your Home by Katherine

Create Your Home by Katherine - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

High school. The four years of your life where you experience the greatest transition from awkward teenager to thriving adult. As I am on the last chapter of my high school career, I look back and realize all of the things that I wish I had known when I started: mainly, to create my home within the sea of faces.
First, find a couple friends that you actually enjoy being around. Not just the ones that seem fun to be around or give you a good image, but the ones that you actually want to hang out with outside of school. When you find them, keep them close. They are special people, and when you constantly change classes and meet new people, it is always good to have a few constant faces through the four years.
Find the balance between school and social. High school is still school, and you still need it to be successful, but that does not mean to devote all of your time to it. I regret that. I would spend Friday nights doing homework because I just wanted to get it done with when my friends were going to go see a movie. Keep on top of your schoolwork, but if there are plans available, go for it! Have those fun nights with stories that will last you for years to come.
Now for the stereotypical part: you do not need drugs or alcohol to have a good time. You do need, however, a good group of friends who you can be weird and zany with that makes you laugh until your sides hurt. I did not do any of that, and once I did find my group, I had more fun than any of the party-goers did.
Also, dress for yourself. You want to be comfy and wear sweats? Do it. You want to feel fabulous and wear dresses and skirts? Rock it. You do not want to wear makeup? Don’t. Nobody says you have to. Do what makes you feel like you. Your confidence will rise with that, too. Trust me.
You are going to make your own adventures in high school. It does not have all of the freedom of college, but it has enough for you to carve your own path in the midst of everyone else. Figure out who you are and embrace it.
Good luck, you’ll do great.