During my four years at Cherokee, I have been through some amazing and stressful experiences. Many were incredibly memorable, but most importantly, many of these experiences helped me learn for the next thing to come. Today, I hope to share these with you, so that you can learn from my time here.
Find Your People
Throughout life and especially high school, the biggest difference in your time here and how it goes is the people you choose to surround yourself with. Not everyone is for you or the best influence for you. Find the people that you can be yourself around and that make you the happiest.
Find What Makes You Happy
High school can be really challenging and boring if you don’t get involved. The best way I’ve found to discover what makes you happy is to try everything out early. There are so many clubs and activities here at Cherokee. Try them out and find what best suits you. Everything you try may not necessarily be for you, and that is okay because it’s trial and error. Find your niche and do what you love, but don’t be afraid to try new things.
Soak In All the Moments
Although it may be hard to believe now, your time here will truly go by quickly. Soon this place will be just memories. One of my biggest fears throughout this last year has been that I’m not living in the moment enough or that I’m always worrying about what’s next, instead of focusing on what’s right in front of me. Take a moment at that game or when you’re hanging out with your friends to just soak it all in. Don’t take this time and these things for granted.
Stressing Isn’t Always the Answer
Although the best thing is to not let everything pile up or get behind in the first place, there’s always going to be a time when it does. There will be sicknesses. There will be times when all your teachers pile on the work at the exact same time. Life happens. Your work will get piled up eventually, and it can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming.
As you go through school, you complete hundreds of assignments, and the most important thing I’ve realized is taking each one just one step at a time is the way to go. There were many times I’d find myself stressed to the max over an overwhelming pile of assignments to do, but the only way out is through. You have to prioritize one at a time and only focus on one at a time.
Everything Happens For a Reason
One of the best things I’ve tried to remember over these last few years is that when unexpected things happen, and nothing goes according to plan, it all happens for a reason. As someone who likes to have a plan or at least a general knowledge of the future, I’ve found that you can’t always have that. Whether it’s what college you’ll get into and where you go or what job you’ll have after school, there’ll be times of uncertainty, when the path seems unclear. Just know whatever is coming your way, whatever destination awaits, or whatever happens: it is for a reason.
As I take in my last few moments of high school, I wanted to take some time and say thank you to all who have helped me through it. Without my parents, family, and teachers, I would not be where I am today. To all the underclassmen, I hope you take these things that have truly helped me to heart. Thank you, Cherokee, for all the things you have taught me. I will truly miss it.
