In my previous post, I mentioned that I was a sophomore in high school. I have learned a lot about life this last year. So, here’s a couple things I learned from being the “fresh meat” at VHS this year.
It’s not as scary as it looks.
Last February I went on a tour of my high school to adjust me to the school and help me understand what classes I might want to take. Let’s just have a quick recap of that day. I woke up that morning covered in blood. Ahhh yes, the bloody nose fairy came for a visit, one of the loveliest features of living in such a dry place. I dealt with it and moved on. I got to math and my nose started gushing again. I barricaded myself in the bathroom for a good 20 minutes until my friend came in to tell me the buses to VHS were leaving. Poo! I grabbed a box of tissues, hopped on the bus, an hoped for the best. The bloody nose went on for 2 HOURS!! I was so embarrassed to be walking around with a stupid tissue shoved up my nose. I thought, If that was what High School was like, I was not interested!
Gazing at my registration packet left me with more anxiety than anything had in a really long time. I mulled over my classes for a week and a half. Only to pick my real classes right as I sat down at the computer to put them in the system. Throughout the beginning of this year, I was constantly lost and thought everybody thought I was stupid. The first few weeks, teachers were mean and trying to weed people out of their classes. I thought I wasn’t smart or driven enough for any of it. But once I was in the fall musical and felt like I had a few more people on my side, everything fell into place. I got lots of new friends and spent most of my time trying to kiss up to the director. Seminary went from the worst to the best! And eventually, I figured out the ropes of most my classes. Except biology, but that might always be a mystery.
Moral of the story: the prep work and beginning of high school sucks, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise.
There really is no need for alarm
In 7th grade I got straight A’s the entire year, 8th grade it got a little worse, and by 9th grade, my AP classes really hit my grades with a hammer. But, when I registered for classes last year I thought that I just HAD to take the hardest classes so I could get into college and I had to keep my GPA up in the stratosphere. All while participating in multiple extracurricular activities, keeping my room clean, and socializing with the masses. This is what we’ve been told our whole lives. You have to be the best and the brightest in every aspect of your life. Every time I get an offer to participate in some club or conference I hear the same token phrase, “This will look great on your college application!” But, if I’m constantly being told that about everything, why stress myself out if it’s all just the same to college admissions?
This last year I think I’ve developed a new philosophy. I’ve decided that in the end, I just need to do the things that make me happy. Of course, I should challenge myself and never let a good opportunity pass me by, but in the end, I think colleges will really want a person who picks a path and sticks to it. So, here I am. Taking easy classes and getting sub-par grades. BUT, I have great friends, I’ve flown across the country by myself this year, I was a featured dancer in My Fair Lady, I sing low alto in women’s choir, and I’m a lot happier than I was a year ago.
That brings us to now. On Monday, we got our registration packet for junior year. My body practically went numb. Anxiety central!! I’ve heard that Junior year is the worst of the three. I knew I had to take some hard classes but I still needed to stay Sane next year. I want to audition for the women’s show choir and the junior mixed choir. Which takes up majority of my schedule. But as I said, stick to the path. Music is my path. So, choir it is!! But for the rest of my schedule, Honors English, Regular Math, Chemistry, AP US History, CE US Gov., and CE Culinary Arts (SO EXCITED!). So, for now, we’re just going to keep calm and carry on. Because I’m probably still in denial.
You can do it Allie!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy life, its really the only one you get! Love you Allie!
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