If I could turn back time... by Margaret

If I could turn back time... by Margaret - March 2019 Scholarship Essay

My darling freshmen,
The one thing I want you to know is that I’m not the same person I was when I first entered high school. And I want to let you know that that’s alright, it’s great even!

High School is going to be very different than middle school, and that is not just because you are going to be taking different classes. By the end of your sophmore year, you’ll be able to drive, by the end of your senior year, you will be able to vote. High school is the beginning of your transition to adulthood, and you are going to be granted access to so many opportunities.

I want you to take advantage of those opportunities. Even the ones that scare you. Actually, especially the ones that scare you. Challenge yourself to join the forensics team and face your fear of public speaking, try out for sports teams, and join clubs that interest or fascinate you. You have nothing to lose. You are at a new school, in a new environment, and this is your opportunity to learn more about yourself.

I want you to try and make at least one friend in each class you take. Find a buddy that will help you take notes, will help you catch up on classes you missed, tell you jokes under their breath and a person who you will help in the same way.

This school is bigger than your previous school, and with that comes more diversity. Seek that out and get to know more people. There will be diversity in religion, in sexuality, in race, in gender. I want you to learn about this, and I want you to become a better educated, open-minded person for it. My hope for you is that you come out of high school a better person academically, socially, and emotionally.

Learning how to drink coffee will serve you well, and the less reliance you have on this substance has an inverse relationship to your stress level and time management ability. Try not to pull all-nighters, they will destroy you physically and emotionally. Try to start assignments as soon as you get them, and make a schedule of what you need to do (assignments, clubs, sports practices, etc.)

Spreadsheets are ideal for tracking homework assignments and grades, and taking a couple days to learn Microsoft Excel will change your life forever.

Always carry a water bottle, gum, and a laptop charger with you. This will dramatically decrease your stress levels, and will make it much easier to make friends in your classes.

Consistency is your friend. If you arrive early to school, pick a location where you always hang out (I suggest the library), the same goes for lunch tables. Talking to people who share something with you will make it easier to make friends with both students and administrators and school staff.

Make sure you are friends with the janitors. If you ever find that you forgot your keys in a classroom and it is locked, the school janitors are your best bet. They are your guide around the school, and they can get you anywhere you need to be.

Overall, I want you to know that high school is something that you should welcome. It might seem intimidating, but the more you get involved, the school will suddenly seems smaller, and college will be here before you know it!

Sincerely,
Your Unofficial Mentor