The Lessons of High School

I have learned a lot throughout my time here at Oak Hill High School. I have learned that life may not be fair but there is always a way to get around it, make the most out of being young, and participate in activities and or sports. These are the main lessons I have learned throughout High School and still stick true to me to this day. 

I think everyone that has attended High School has learned that life may not be fair but you can always overcome it. High School overloads everyone with work, the national average of homework we all get is around 2.7 hours of homework per weeknight. We kids are expected to wake up at 6 in the morning to attend school at 7:35 AM, go to school for 7 hours, then go home and do more work for another 3 hours by this time it is 5:30 PM. Not to mention that we have to go to work or participate in after-school sports/activities. This is too much for anyone to handle, but us, we got through it, we graduated, and pushed through those sleepless night and missing assignments that seemed to be never-ending. There is always a way through the hard times. You may have to sacrifice some things for others but there is always a way through. Although all of this is weighing on us it is still a time to make the most out of your youth.

Your youth is the most important part of life. This stage dictates who you will be as a person. Your mind is always adapting, growing and learning. I once remembered my parents saying that growing up creeps up on you and then before you know it, it is here and you are graduating. I didn’t really believe them when they said this, I was like a baby just in my own world not caring about anything. I still remember 2012 and telling myself that 2022 is so far away. Well here I am graduating and it does indeed come way faster than I thought. Before you start working- before you grow up. Soak in what you have left, make the most out of being young, and have time to do the stuff you love. Go on that road trip with your friends, go do the sport you have always wanted to do, be young and free. I wish I did more before I got a job. Weekends don’t exist anymore due to school work and working all day. If I could change one thing about what I did it would be, to do more, including myself, and be more aware of the time I had left.

I have done soccer my whole life, up until sophomore year. I loved it, and I still do love it but I do not play anymore. I have come to realize that I miss it so much, I miss being out on that soft grass with friends just messing around and having a good time. I stopped myself from playing because I wanted to work as much as possible and focus on school more. Although I did manage to do just that I have had a hole in my chest for 2 years. I want to be out there again but I missed my chance. I regret it probably the most out of every decision I have made so far. Go do the sport you never could, or even if you stopped playing, try to pick it up again you may regret it later if you don’t, I know I did.

As we are all coming to a close with our K-12 education I can say I have some regrets and lessons I have learned a lot, I just chose to pick some today that I thought held up the most out of everything. So take it from me, don’t quit when the going gets rough, push through and get it done, make the most out of having time to do the things you love and do that sport you have always wanted, or even go back to something you quit doing. It may surprise you again.

“Students participate in class lessons” by World Bank Photo Collection is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.