Advice from a Student who Graduates in 63 Days by Taylor

Advice from a Student who Graduates in 63 Days by Taylor - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

With only two months left in my high school career, I often find myself thinking back to my first day of freshman year, and how I have changed as a student since then. As the oldest of my three siblings, I was the first to experience high school, and there is definitely some advice I wish I had known before I began.
The first and most important point is that high school is not like middle school. And one must be prepared for that transition. I went to a small middle school with about 110 students in my graduating class. Homework was always finished before dinner and practice, and I could pull off straight A’s without really trying. When I started my freshman year, a part of me still expected that to remain the same. However, when I got my first essay back I was shocked into the realization that high school is harder than middle school. Classes require effort, and there will be nights of studying until 2 a.m. Not everything will be handed to you, and sometimes you are going to feel stressed out and confused. You are now going to school with kids from different towns, people will get better grades than you, and the competition will be tough. Cherish that competition. Let it push you to study a little harder, or raise your hand in chemistry class. As crazy as it seems, these four teenage years are extremely important to your future and you won’t regret staying home that one night to study when you ace the test.
My second item of advice is to cherish each year for what it brings. It is only going to get harder with age, and I often find myself laughing at how impossible I found freshman year at times. Over the course of high school, you are going to have some amazing teachers, and some not-so-great ones. Appreciate the amazing teachers for what they have given you, and learn to tolerate the ones that gave you a tough time-- it will only make you a better student. And even when the workload gets heavy, remember that too much stress is never a good thing. Don’t beat yourself up in a panic-- learn to step back, take a breathe, and enjoy the moment. School is undoubtedly important, but also make time for friends. Before you know it, you will be applying for college and throwing your graduating cap in the air and everybody will be hundreds of miles apart. Make memories with them before it is too late. The people you meet in school will change you as a student and person, and make sure to thank them for this.
On the first day of freshman year, graduation will seem so far away, and before you know it there is a diploma in your hands. Make it all worth your time.