Everything Will Be Okay: Advice from Seniors
Photo from Pexels from Gerd Altmann.
Ella Hutton
As the school year comes to an end, we seniors have had a lot of time to reflect on our high school career. From friendships to finals, it’s safe to say a lot has happened in the last four years. Entering high school, and even just becoming an upperclassman, can be scary. You never know what’s out there and what is going to happen to you. As a graduating senior, I can agree with everyone dealing with these stresses. Even preparing to go into college, I am still learning how to manage big changes, but one piece of advice I can give is to trust the process.
After speaking to multiple seniors who are in the same position as me, I wanted to know one piece of advice they have for anyone scared for the future in high school. Even if you are a junior right now, take a moment to consider and reflect on these responses.
Friend groups will change as you go through your years at HHS, and it’s totally okay! It’s normal for people to drift as you figure out your own true self and join clubs and take different classes. I grew so much in my years at Hamilton and drifted away from some of my other friends… But I feel so much happier now. It can be difficult to separate from people you have known all your life; things happen for the best and it’s important to remember you will be in difficult situations (they are not avoidable), but everything happens for a reason.
Make sure to join clubs early and try to get as many leadership positions as possible in clubs that you enjoy the most.
Honestly just do stuff that you have interest in or value. You need to enjoy your time in high school and have a good balance of hanging out with people and doing school work. Wasting your time with people who don't make you feel comfortable or feel like someone who is valued is pointless. I know it might be hard to find your people but you can't let anyone make you feel invisible, like you are just another body there or unwanted. There will be people who will treat you wrong, but do not let them affect your mental health.
Be your true self in high school. Even if it might be hard, you will learn a lot about yourself throughout the 4 years here. You will make new friends, create new memories and create new experiences. Also, don’t be shy to try new things: audition for a show, try out for a sport, or join a new club. You never know you might just find a new hobby or activity you love and wish you joined sooner. Lastly, take lots of photos, so you can go back on the moment and remember it.
Know that you have potential. I used to think the only thing I could achieve was “standard” because I wasn’t a D1 athlete or genius. But I learned throughout my four years that I had the potential to do things I thought I’d never be able to do.
After reading these, they all have a common theme of staying true to yourself, which is absolutely true. Don’t go through these developmental years of your life pretending to be someone else or follow morals that don’t align with yours. So much will happen in four years, and as scary as that sounds, everything will be okay. You will be sad, scared, upset, feel hopeless and disappointed, but there will be just as many times you will be excited, happy, proud and looking forward to what is to come.
You will lose friends and you will gain friends. Relationships will come and go and you will learn who you are and what you want from the people in your life. Arguments will happen and not every battle is going to be resolved. There is always going to be drama and it’s up to you to indulge. Big changes will happen to everyone, but you are far away from alone.
Good luck in high school!
Sincerely, a graduating senior.
