High school can be exciting, stressful, and confusing all at the same time. Many teenagers feel pressured to fit in, make friends, and figure out their future right away. During these years, it is easy to get caught up in what other people think instead of focusing on what really matters. Learning important life advice early can help students become more confident, make better choices, and enjoy high school more instead of constantly worrying about being perfect. Here are three pieces of advice provided by high school students at Kennard-Dale HS that they wish they received before and during high school and my thoughts on them.
It is better to have one true friend than multiple friends who treat you badly. And figure out who your true friends are, because you’ll realize really fast. In high school, this is really important because many people think having a big friend group means you are happier, but that is not always true. You could have a lot of friends and still feel alone if they do not actually support you. A real friend is someone who is there for you when things get hard, not just when everything is fun and easy.
I’ve seen situations where someone thought they had close friends, but those people were not there when it mattered most. That’s when you realize who your real friends are. Having even just one loyal friend is way better in high school than having a whole big group of friends who are fake.
Remember it’s your first time living, take your time learn do not take anything for granted
This is something people do not think about enough. High school feels like everything is happening so fast, and there is pressure to have everything figured out for your future. But in reality, no one has it all figured out. Everyone is learning as they go. It is okay to make mistakes because that is part of growing up. Instead of rushing through everything or stressing about being perfect, it is better to slow down and appreciate the moments you are in.
High school will not last forever, so it is important to make the most of it while you can until it is too late.
You don’t have to earn your worth by proving yourself all the time. In high school, it is really easy to feel like you need to impress people whether it is through grades, sports, or popularity. But, constantly trying to prove yourself can be stressful and exhausting.
You should not have to change who you are just to get approval from others. When you focus too much on what other people think, you can lose sight of who you actually are and what your
worth is. Instead, it is better to be confident in yourself and make choices based on what makes you happy. The people who truly matter will accept you without you needing to prove anything. High school is about learning, growing, and figuring out who you are. Having true friends, taking time to enjoy life, and not always trying to prove yourself are all important lessons that can make life less stressful and more meaningful. Nobody has everything figured out, especially in high school, and that’s okay. What matters most is being yourself, appreciating the people who truly care about you, and making the most of the experiences you have while you can.
