Of all the lessons I’ve learned throughout my high school career, the largest teachings I’ve learned are beyond what textbooks and educators have to offer. These lessons are self-taught and self-experienced, meant to occur on the road out the double doors that bound us from the rest of our lives. High school was great. High school was also a disaster. There were moments of joy, moments of happiness, but a lot of moments of learning and stress. The lessons were endless: time management, self-control, and remembering to sleep were just a few. While these were all important and useful tools for the rest of my life, there were larger lessons that impacted me more significantly that I know will resonate with me for the rest of my life.

Lesson one: tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are too. This was a lesson that I remember my mom preaching to me as a young child. No matter what anyone says, your friends don’t only shape your character, but they define your image as well. This is something that I think all should hold near to their hearts. Never judge a person off of your first encounter, but, remember that it’s okay not to be friends with all those who surround you. Keep your circle small, and keep individuals who help you rise rather than put you down.

Lesson two: you can always tell who your real friends are when things start to get ugly. When things start to fall apart, look who still surrounds you; these are your real friends. This ties into lesson one— in my own high school career, I remember going through times that paralleled hell. Life is not always happy and fun, and when people stick by your side during the times that are ugly and sad, you know that these people are true friends.

Lesson three: there is no need to compare yourself against others. No one is exactly the same, so why try to be? Enjoy your own quirks and your own abilities, and learn to love your differences and what makes your own skin.

There is more to high school than just learning what kind of people to meet. There are lessons that expand beyond physical interactions with your peers and your teachers, lessons that portray real life skills. These are especially learned throughout high school— the necessary skills in order to progress past high school and into the real world.

Lesson four: Always remember to take a break. High school is tough! Through all of the AP exams, cumulative exams, stressful tests, and loads of homework, remember to relax. While I truly believe that school is one of the most important keys to success, mental health and care are of greater importance. Enjoy those snow days. Take the weekends to sleep in and to spend time with friends and growing as a person. Relax, everything falls into place all on its own.

Lesson five: After you take your break, don’t procrastinate. Procrastination is most likely the biggest effort killer for all students. Don’t leave your essay for the night before. Do your calculus packet the day its due— trust me, I wish I did this. Do whatever you can in a fashionable manner; you’ll thank yourself later.

Lesson six: Don’t be that kid who puts others down just because they aren’t the same as you. Walk in someone else’s shoes. You never know what someone else is going through, what someone else thinks, or how someone else feels. Let all coexist and be true to themselves.

One final lesson that I would want every high school student to remember is one that I consider the most valuable. The lesson that you will only understand when you are in the senior class’s shoes. The lesson that is understood when you are able to stand in your cap and gown, and reminisce on all that once was.

Lesson seven: Don’t take any of this for granted. High school is great. High school also sucks. So what? Every day is something different. Every day you will learn something new, either big or small, but it’s something different that didn’t happen yesterday. When it comes time to be fitted for your gown, or the days you practice walking for graduation, you will understand what I’m saying. The time goes by fast. Don’t take any of the lessons, any of the bad or good moments, any of it, for granted. Remember these four years as your stepping stone into the future. Whether this be college or the working field, remember high school as a mile stone.