Many people say that school is a fantastic period of life and that we will miss it once it's over. I agree with that statement, but it is also essential to consider that high school can be incredibly stressful. I’m not going to lie, I did enjoy school a lot, and now that I'm a senior, it is more evident how much I will miss coming to this place every day. However, I still had challenging moments in which I felt lost in my academic and personal life. So now, at the end of this journey, I wanted to write this: a guide to get through high school.

 

The first part I want to talk about is academics. One of the most stressful parts of being a teenager is academic work. The pressure, the grades, balancing social life with academic life, and even more, finding a way to maintain good results while still doing other things like hobbies and resting. As if it weren't bad enough already, as time passes, all of this seems to get harder and not easier. In my own experience, I can 100% say that managing my time and coping with the pressure were way more difficult in 12th grade than in any other grade. Nonetheless, it is possible to get through it with three key things:

1. Prioritize: You can use an agenda or calendar to organize what you must do. Learn to prioritize them and complete them in order of importance. That way, you can complete the most critical tasks on time without letting everything accumulate.

2. Motivate yourself: try always to push yourself a little. If you have a big project to complete or any sort of long school work, work on it gradually instead of procrastinating until the day before the deadline. It is hard to do, especially when one is tired, but in the end, it is very fulfilling and rewarding.

3. Have a good mentality: Be positive and believe in yourself. Before exams or quizzes, do not stress out; believe in your abilities. Don’t let grades define you either. Of course, it is fine to give them some importance, but don’t let them affect your mental health or perception of yourself. Work hard, but in moderation.

 

Now, the other side of the coin, personal life. This part mainly involves social life and hobbies. As a teenager, it is very common to consider social life vital. At times during high school, this can be as fun as it is stressful. Being with friends and making plans can be amazing, but dealing with rumors and misunderstandings is tough. As time passes, you'll realize that one of the most valuable things about high school is learning lessons and appreciating them because they are handy. Some of them, which I wish I had known earlier, are not taking things personally and putting themselves first. Not all actions done by others are necessarily against you, so don’t let them affect your peace. Keep going and live your life. If a misunderstanding arises, don’t use your time wondering why it happened to you or stressing over it. As long as you are a good human, the rest is unimportant.

Regarding hobbies, I would say focus on them as much as you do on grades. Have fun and enjoy them because they will help you relax. Students must focus their minds and energy on something they like besides school. It can be very nurturing for their future, mental health, and development in other areas. 

 

 

Finally, enjoy every second. This school is your family, and the people you meet here will impact you in amazing ways. Time will go by quickly, so live every moment instead of stressing over all of it. Appreciate the academic and social lessons, and carry them with you when you graduate so you can use them later on.