From a young age, adults have always asked us, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Almost robotically, we all respond, “doctor” or “lawyer” or “vet.”
From a young age, adults have asked us, “Where do you want to go to college?” Most of us responded with either an Ivy League or our parents’ alma mater. For me, that was the University of California, Irvine.
From a young age adults have asked…
Throughout our childhood, we are always asked to speculate about our future. Contradictorily, we are also told to enjoy the moment. We are told to enjoy the bliss of freedom… youth…
Now, in high school, we reminisce about those days, yearning for the days that we could walk about, carefree, not worrying about something as trivial as calculus homework or the chemistry final that we just had.
Now as a senior, I am writing this column and reminiscing about my last four years at Arcadia High School (AHS). However, in all truth, I don’t remember these last four years, as they have flown by in a blur. However, if a freshman were to ask me what advice I would give them, this is what I would say:
- Live in the Present
At AHS, students are pressured by their parents, peers, and teachers to be the best. In this pressure, many students, including I, have forgotten to live in the moment and enjoy high school; we forget to remember that these are the last four years of our lives where we will have people of the same age as us in a class (ex: senior english, AP US History, etc). We forget to go outside, and “touch grass” and enjoy the world around us in the conquest of being perfect.
- Do the Things You Love
Since AHS is a very competitive school, students everywhere can be seen comparing the AP classes they’re taking and silently competing as to who can take the most APs. However, how many people actually enjoy it? I doubt many. So, instead, my advice would be to take some APs, but don’t overload yourself to the extent where you can’t do the things that you love. For example, joining clubs, volunteering, etc.
- Everything Will Change
Throughout high school, regardless of how much you don’t want it to, things will change. You may change who your friends are, your personality will change, and most importantly, your outlook on life will change. So, you should embrace it and keep an open mind so that you are not stuck in the past.
These are the lessons that I will cherish as I approach my future endeavors.
As graduation approaches, I am reminded of a quote from Taylor Swift in her song, Never Grow Up saying “Wish I’d never grow up.” Through this, I am reminded to live in the moment, and cherish both the good, with the bad, to enjoy the moment, and to not worry about the things that I can not control.
