High school today is not easy. Exams, rigorous classes, demanding extracurriculars; there’s a reason why The American Institute of Stress says mental stress among teen students is at an all-time high. But that is not to say that high school can’t be enjoyable, or even some of the best years of your life. While the parties and pep assemblies might not look as they do in movies, there are endless opportunities to make the most of your time while finishing your secondary education. How, though, can high school be fun despite the burdens it comes with? Well, ask your parents what they remember from those years: is it test scores? How about project grades? Can they tell you what they got on their Algebra II final? The answer to all of these questions is likely no, because it is the activities you choose to participate in and the people you choose to spend time with that will follow you long after graduation. We at The Tower urge you to make your high school experience personally valuable, but more importantly, live with no regrets before it’s too late.
The worst question in the English language is, “What if?” What if you had gone to that game instead of staying home? What if you had joined that club that you had always had an interest in? While high school offers endless opportunities, especially at South with our vast student activities department, it also leaves many chances to make mistakes in how you spend your time. Simply put, we at The Tower advise you to take risks while you have the chance instead of living with the regret associated with following your comfort zone. By doing something you are slightly hesitant about, the worst-case scenario is that you leave that situation with closure. There will all but certainly be no other time in your life where little responsibility is matched with the freedom to try new things with insignificant consequences, so why not take some chances? There is no external shame in deciding something is not for you, but never finding out carries unnecessary internal weight; and who knows, maybe you’ll find your true passion.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is part of growing up, and letting cultural insecurities prevent you from doing so blatantly robs you of the chance to explore your interests. Albert Einstein said that “curiosity has its own reason for existence,” and we at The Tower believe that reason is to find out what truly is and is not important to you. Maybe Mock Trial will show you that you do not have as much love for the law as you thought you did, but how can you possibly know without trying? If fear is stopping you from taking that risk, ask yourself: what is it that you’re afraid of? Failure is not embarrassment, but rather a testament to one’s courage, and you will never regret having the courage to try something.
Given how competitive academics have become, we at The Tower understand that high schoolers are often restricted in their decision-making. However, solely focusing on building your applications with excellent test scores, extreme course loads and the extracurricular activities “colleges want to see” steers students away from things they love to prioritize an appealing resumé. What if that fun class you took as an elective opens your eyes to a new passion or talent? The choices you make in high school set you up for the future, and it’s important to note that employees who are passionate about their jobs are more motivated and more committed to their careers, according to the National Library of Medicine. While making decisions that benefit your future is important, we at The Tower encourage you to pursue activities and courses that interest you. You’re not always going to have the time to experiment with different things, so do it while you can, and you may find it opens a door to a lifelong passion.
As you decide what you want to be a part of in high school, look beyond what an admissions officer will consider. South offers over 70 unique clubs, and by attending any given meeting, you can discover a new interest. Signing up for an elective course could inspire a future career. Passion is what fuels us, and keeping an open mind to trying new things will help you find it. We at The Tower know that everyone will have aspects of high school they want to do over, but don’t let your mistake be to miss out. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it best: “always do what you are afraid to do.”
