Time flies when you’re in high school as communication skills continuously improve, work ethics develop, and your most creative and imaginative parts of your mind grow. There are many important things in life as you grow up. For example, traditions with your family grow stronger, new friendships form, old ones break, and your brain expands with new knowledge every day.
The most important part of the journey through life is recognizing what works for you and what doesn’t. Through that comes influential advice that we hear all around us. Some of the seniors at Wilsonville High School shared what advice they wish they could have given to their younger selves.
Senior Reese Holsey shares, “When I was younger, I wish I knew the difference between long-term and short-term stressors. Most of these things stressing us out won’t matter after a while anyway, so don’t let it tear you apart.”
An important factor for most seniors is embracing change. Whether that’s preparing after graduation by going to college or following a different path. Learning essential life skills like budgeting and management can also be very beneficial. Additionally, prioritizing the things that you love can help you overcome anything and look forward to a brighter future.
Prioritizing is a powerful skill that helps people focus on what truly matters, leading to better decision-making and a more fulfilling life. It reduces stress by guiding your focus to what’s important, without worrying about distractions. Also, it helps allocate time effectively to meaningful activities.
Senior Brooklyn Bybee says, “I wish I had prioritized making connections with people and stepped out of my comfort zone. This has always been hard for me because I am introverted. I think meeting new people and making relationships is one of the most beneficial things in life to a person.”
One of the most common things to look back on as a senior in high school is the many mistakes that were made along the way. Such as procrastination, overloading schedules, and unprepared mindsets for tests, projects, and interviews. It’s important to learn from those mistakes because every one of them is an opportunity to grow and improve. Now, as seniors, it’s easy to know what to avoid and what to go towards, to always strive for a learning perspective instead of perfection, and rest your mind and body when the opportunity presents itself.
Senior Einar Rodriguez Perez reflects, “One of my biggest mistakes was skipping class. Don’t skip class, don’t miss out on events and sports, and try to enjoy as much as you can. Also, find time to study and do the important things beforehand.”
