The past 720 days, well more like 600-something (sorry Mrs. Brown), have been a roller coaster–except with way less safety checks and no emergency brake. I can’t say I wouldn’t trade parts of it for the world, because I definitely would, but for the most part I had an enjoyable high school experience.
My gameplan going into high school was to live up to the expectations set by my Ivy League graduate sister. You know the drill, right? The classic younger sibling syndrome of trying to match up to the towering achievements of those who came before us. And depending on who you ask, some may say I accomplished it. And even if it is true (I’m not saying it is, Simran), at what cost? Was being years behind on sleep and having half of admin see me cry really worth it?
The short answer is yes. But I have 594 words left so I’ll give you the long version.
I am glad that I worked hard in high school, but I do wish I prioritized my well-being more, especially my sleep. I’ll be real with you: my relationship with sleep during high school was like a bad sitcom – lots of drama and zero resolution. I don’t think there were more than five nights where I got over seven hours of sleep, and let me tell you, it was not a good look (no literally, my eye bags take up half my face). The struggle of staying awake during half of my classes was a battle in itself, and something I encourage underclassmen to avoid. And while you may think developing a caffeine addiction is cute, imagine yourself being cranky and unapproachable until you’re $6.50 down and just a little more awake. Instead, take time to organize your assignments, allot time for extracurriculars and get ahead on test preparation so you don’t end up feeling like a zombie every day.
My next piece of advice is try not to spam AP classes, which I know is ironic coming from someone who took 11 (my sister took 10 so I had to). Honestly, I probably would’ve gotten into the same colleges and had a better GPA if I took two or three less. While AP classes look good in terms of having an impressive course load, taking too many at a time can have the opposite effect. Don’t be the sophomore who brushes off the upperclassmen’s advice not to take APUSH just because you think colleges want to see you take it. Trust me, my grade in that class was definitely not what colleges wanted to see. That class truly was a humbling experience, where I found out that even when you study until 2 a.m., it was still totally possible, and the norm, to get Cs on each test. But if APUSH is right up your alley, or any other class, don’t let people discourage you from taking it. Explore the numerous electives Algonquin has to offer or choose classes that you are truly interested in, not just what you think colleges want to see.
The next thing I’ll say is that it is important to value the little things in life that make you happy. There were so many variables in my life during high school, but it was nice to have a few constant things to make me feel better. For example, I started watching an episode of my favorite show while eating dinner every day (I’m never beating the iPad kid allegations), which is something so trivial to an outside eye but important to me. It was a simple ritual, but it became a reliable source of comfort and a tiny spark of happiness I could always look forward to, even when the mountain of homework looming after dinner felt insurmountable. That little bit of predictability and enjoyment in the face of daily stresses made a world of difference. Whether it’s talking to a friend, watching TV or getting a sweet treat after school, make sure to prioritize the simple things that can brighten your day in addition to your schoolwork.
As I empty out my backpack and say goodbye to the wild ride that was high school, I can’t help but reflect on the chaos, tears and yes, the eye bags. While I may have spent more nights with textbooks than with my pillow and am on a first-name basis with my local barista (well, multiple), I wouldn’t trade my time in high school for anything. Sure, I may have overcommitted to AP classes and took on more extracurriculars than I could manage in a healthy manner, but at least I can say I survived high school with my sanity (mostly) intact. The life-long friendships, moments where I cried of laughter and memories I will cherish forever made high school all worth it. Peace out Gonk, thank you for everything.
