Every August, hundreds of freshmen enter Foran for the very first time. With this, uncertainty and anxiety may transpire. However, by navigating through high school, many lessons can be learned. And yet, struggling underclassmen often need help, which can come from both upperclassmen and teachers. After all, many older individuals can put themselves in the shoes of their younger peers.
One skill that is especially important in both high school and every aspect of life is communication. Senior Michael Doyle states, “Always make sure to communicate thoroughly with your teachers because it will help you build networking skills for the future.”
While students must gain knowledge from their own experiences, reaching out has proven to be beneficial. According to the National Library of Medicine, stress levels are “greatly determined” by the environment in which people are. Furthermore, by building positive relationships with teachers and peers, tensions in students’ lives may be alleviated.
Beyond building relationships, managing stress through proper time management is another essential part of high school success. Students can manage stress by staying on top of assignments to prevent an unnecessary buildup of workload.
Senior Andrew Lord, a student-athlete involved in many extracurricular activities at Foran, understands the necessity of balancing work, “Don’t procrastinate until the due date.”
Time and stress management is not only helpful in high school, but also aids in coping with future pressures, such as preparing for college. For many incoming freshmen, college seems far away, but soon enough, it will be senior year, with application season on the horizon. Students quickly realize that good grades will not be enough to stand out.
According to the American Psychological Association, upwards of 95% of college students procrastinate their schoolwork.
“Extracurriculars will go a long way in standing out from other people in the college process,” states Doyle.
Getting involved in extracurriculars can play a major role in forging a strong college resume and help build lifelong skills in the process.
By eliminating unnecessary stress and fret, students can maximize their potential and get more out of their high school experience. Additionally, when students go on to college and beyond, having these life skills will allow them to thrive.
While having good grades and building skills are important parts of high school, it is also a time to create memories and enjoy the journey. “Enjoy the fun experiences in high school,” says Senior Colin Monahan.
High school offers many opportunities not only to prepare for the future but also to discover who you are and grow as a person. Success in high school is not just about report cards, but finding out who you are, and who you want to become.
