The Bright Side of High School: What Makes It Worth Aspirations
Entering high school can often seem like a daunting yet exciting transition. While high school is often perceived as a less ideal phase compared to the complexities of the real world, it is adorned with several positive attributes that can make it a memorable and worthwhile experience.
Contrary to the real world, high school places less emphasis on academic performance and more on personal growth and character. Here, being kind, social, and contributing positively are highly valued rather than academic achievements alone. This unique social ecosystem can be a refreshing change for those who find themselves thriving in such an environment.
Positive Social Dynamics
If you find that high school feels like a comfortable social fit, you have a promising four years ahead. Yet, even if high school is not the ideal social environment for you, it can still provide you with invaluable life experiences. These experiences, while perhaps less tangible, are vital for real-life competence and character development.
High school is a time to explore and understand the non-human world through fascinating and challenging classes like geometry, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. For a book-loving or nerdy student, these subjects can open up a whole new universe of interest and understanding. These studies can lay the groundwork for a more profound appreciation of the world around us.
Empowerment through Choice
One of the most significant improvements in the high school experience as I discovered, especially when compared to earlier educational stages, is the increased autonomy in course selection. As a fresh perspective from a 14-year-old freshman, I can attest to the fact that this freedom to make choices about which courses to take can be incredibly empowering.
Even looking back, I firmly believe that each individual knows best which courses will be necessary for their future. Teachers, while knowledgeable, cannot fully understand every student's unique educational journey and career aspirations. This freedom to choose allows students to take ownership of their education and align it more closely with their personal goals.
Life Lessons and Growth
High school can be a highly enriching experience beyond just social and academic development. For instance, my own personal experience as a senior, I was appreciated for my passion and creativity when I published an underground newspaper. The ensuing fallout led to an extraordinary learning experience. Being expelled on the second day taught me invaluable lessons about my community, free speech, the legal system, real friendships, trust, and my true desires in life.
Although it was a difficult and challenging period, the lessons learned from this experience were profound. Upon my reinstatement a few months later, I was a better, more grounded individual because of the strength and resilience I had developed, which has since proven invaluable in the real-world.
Rest assured, no matter how you feel about high school, it is entirely worth it. It may not be the easiest, most convenient, or most effortless phase, but it is a phase that can be profoundly impactful and instrumental in shaping who you are and who you will become.