Now that I’m officially done with high school (I still have two more weeks to get through), I think I am more than qualified to give my own advice on how to survive high school. I will say that most of the advice I will give are just things that I have learned and have regretted not doing while I was going through these four years. So without further ado, let's get into it. 

Procrastinate EFFICIENTLY
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Of course I can sit here and tell you guys not to procrastinate (which honestly would be best), but we all know that everyone procrastinates. I’m literally writing this article super late before the final due date. So with that being said, it is just best that you learn how to procrastinate efficiently. Whether you learn that you can pull all-nighters and get big projects done or you just work on the assignment right before the class begins, just make sure you can have it done. Work can pile up very quickly, and that can easily overwhelm you when you know you actively procrastinate. You truly have to learn what works best for you so that you aren’t hurting your grades or yourself in the long-run. 

For example, I’ve learned that I can get big projects and homework done at the last minute by pulling all-nighters. Then the next day, I just sleep as soon as I get home. (It's unhealthy, but it works for me!)

Try everything
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Now I know this is cliche, but seriously: try everything. I’m not saying try everything that you may not like, but I’m saying try things that you thought you might not like. There have been soo many different clubs and organizations that I wished I joined or at least tried to apply to, but I never did, and I regretted it. I also think that it is never really too late to try things, so join stuff no matter how old you are. I literally know friends of mine who were seniors who tried out for sports this year and have had so much fun with it. Of course, you’ll be scared to try things out, but I’m sure you’ll regret not giving it a try more than just not getting into it. So no matter what grade you are in, if you think you’d have fun being in a club or sport and you have the time for it, then do it!

Establish good relationships with your teachers 

​Again this is cliche, but you have to have some sort of a relationship with your teachers. Now I’m not saying that you have to be best friends with them, nor am I saying that you have to buy them things. I am saying that you should be nice and make your presence known. There have been many bad situations that I have gotten out of because of my relationships that I have with my teachers. Connections are very important. I think the only way you can really make a bad relationship with your teachers is by not showing up to class, not doing like any of their work, and just being rude to them. I feel like a nice hello/good morning and just asking how their day is goes a long way. 

Live your life
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​Yes, school is a #1 priority for most of us, but you need to LIVE your life. Take mental breaks and make sure that you are actively taking good care of yourself. I know it’ll be hard finding the time for giving yourself breaks, but I seriously suggest that you try. It can be small little breaks where you watch a movie to relax your mind or you could do some self care. I believe that any form of a break is needed since school is extremely draining. There are seriously so many times where I wished I sat down for a little to take a mental break for myself so I didn’t feel so done (then again, I would nap a lot, so I guess that would count as my own breaks). But again, find some time, any time, when you know you will have a little bit of time in your day and just breathe and do something you like or something you know would benefit you in the long run. Remember: school is just a part of your actual life. 

Have fun
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Again very cliche, but just like I said that school is only a part of your life, you need to have fun with school. Enjoy every moment you have with your friends or the clubs that you love so dearly (I’m going to miss the BALM so much omg). Just try to enjoy all the fun things that happen throughout your whole high school experience. Time literally moves so fast ( I still cannot believe that I’m going to be in college in less than 3 months). You gotta live in the moment for all that happens. Even though high school is hard and sucks a lot, you will miss and it will be bittersweet graduating in the end. (Literally about to cry rn)

Anyways I do think that just enjoying high school is all I can really say that you have to do in order to survive. Yes, you have to do sucky work that you don’t want to do, and yes, you will have to deal with people you don’t like, but you will have really fun days and meet a whole bunch of people you do like. I’ve met so many of my closest friends from high school, and I have so many memories with them just from the different classes and clubs we have together. I will miss high school, but I am so excited to move on to my next chapter of life. And soon all of you will be in the same boat as me since you survived high school! (because you took my lovely advice :) )

Maya Terry
22-23 Task Cord (Outreach coordinator)