To know me is to know that I am constantly filled with nostalgia. Past experiences, memories, and friendships are always lurking in the back of my mind, and rose-tinted glasses seem to fit my face perfectly.

As I approach the end of my high school career, it is impossible not to feel nostalgic and reflect on my experience at AHS. Over the past month, my reflections, though varied, consistently return to the lessons I’ve learned and the insights I wish I had as a freshman. That being said, here is a culmination of all the lessons, tips, and advice I have learned over the past four years.

Friendships
Going into high school, the number one thing I heard about was how much your friend group will fluctuate and change. I scoffed and rolled my eyes at the mere thought of my best friends of the last eight years being broken up, but I underestimated the power of a new environment and the separation that it causes. While that experience brought immense pain and isolation, it taught me how to branch out and make new friends. Now that I’ve had that experience, my first tip is to surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself and encourage you to be unapologetically yourself.

Grades
One of the biggest lessons to learn in high school is the importance of working hard. Putting effort into your assignments, presentations, and homework will always pay off. It shows your teachers that you care and instills a strong work ethic, which you will utilize for the rest of your life. Organization paired with motivation is a recipe for success, and although it pains me to say it, grades do, in fact, matter. They determine what doors will open to you in the future and allow you to explore more options, so work hard and learn as much as you can. You’ll gain something from your classes if you try hard and put in the work, even if the grade isn’t ideal. That being said, your grades don’t always reflect you. Recognize that they are often important to succeed, but they don’t define you as a person.

Involvement
The ‘classic high school experience’. We grew up seeing it on screens and dreaming of having it when the time came, but this expectation and fantasy were abruptly halted by reality. My high school experience has been anything but ‘classic’, and as soon as I realized that it was going to be nothing like what I was hoping, I gave up on seeking that movie experience. Instead, I should have been putting myself out there even more. Therefore, my advice is to go to more parties, give 100% at school events, and have the most outrageous school spirit, even if it feels cringey. You can’t coast through school expecting all these fun experiences to happen to you, only YOU can make these experiences happen!

Teachers
If it isn’t clear already, teachers are the backbone of schools. Although they can be stubborn, annoying, and harsh at times, they are vital resources. Learn to communicate with them respectfully and effectively, and they will be more than happy to help you. Being kind to teachers is important, as they will be the people you will ask to write letters of recommendation in the future. Start building relationships with them as soon as you can so you can get to know their teaching and grading style, but also so they can get to know you and your learning style.

Explore
High school is a time to find yourself. You are surrounded by new people in a new environment, so exploring, discovering, and finding new parts of yourself is a gift. It is a time to discover what you really enjoy and want to pursue. Join clubs that interest you, sign up for new classes that sound fun, take part in a sport that you’ve never done before, and always be kind to everyone to make new friends. While doing so, dive into new fashion, listen to new music, and watch as many movies as you can.

Take care of yourself
Although you are always surrounded by people in high school, it can often become an isolating experience. It’s imperative to take care of yourself before anything else. Prioritizing your mental well-being above grades, friendships, and sports is essential to making sure you can continue being yourself. Additionally, getting good sleep, eating well, and being mindful of your body are imperative to success.

I know firsthand the challenges and hardships that high school brings, but no matter how lonely you feel, understand that high school is just one chapter in your life. Though it feels life-altering right now, four years will fly by much faster than you think, so try to slow down and appreciate what you are feeling right now, good or bad.