How to Survive High School

Last week (when this post was supposed to go up, but somehow disappeared and ruined my cosmic timing) I started my junior year of high school.  It's going to be difficult and tedious every step of the way.  I rather deal with taking down a dystopian government than with hormonal teenagers that have the emotional range of a teaspoon (thanks, Hermione).  If only I were attending Hogwarts instead...

Don't procrastinate 

I cannot stress this enough: do not leave assignments until the last minute.  They're tedious and stressful, but leaving them until the night before only causes more worry. Netflix can wait.

Snacks

School is a time-sucking, soul-sucking monstrosity but snacks definitely alleviate some of that pain. 

Ask for help

As a stubborn perfectionist, asking for help is not a priority to me.  But sometimes struggling and trying to solve issues on your own only damages you--and your grade--more.  It's okay to ask for help.

Do the work

When I hear kids complaining about the teacher giving them a low grade when all they did was sit in the back talking and never put in any effort, it frustrates me like nothing else.  If you just do the work and actually try, you'll do okay.  As much as it sucks, the stuff you do in school heavily determines your future.  Do the work now and you'll be grateful later.

Put yourself first

School takes over your entire life, especially if you are aiming for all A's, but you have to remember that your mental health comes before any grade.  School is beyond stressful, and sometimes you have to step back and take a breath.

Get enough sleep

This is something I need to follow, too.  It is so unhealthy to not get a full night's sleep. Trust me on this, you cannot survive on 4 hours of sleep for long.  And naps are always a good idea.

Participate

Movies and adults often send the message that high school is meant to be the best time of your life.  Not one letter of that is remotely true.  High school is 4 hectic, messy years, but that doesn't mean that you should simply allow them to slip by.  Go to the cheesy school dances and football games.  Be a teenager, because as exhausting as that is, you'll never be one again.  

Organization

It sounds easy, but it isn't always.  Remaining organized and motivated as the months drag on can often feel like an impossible task, but it can be done.  Don't be that kid who never has a pencil and leaves their textbook in random classes.


Be yourself

School is a pressurized, judgmental environment where people with jump at any chance to criticize you.  All I can say is this:  don't give a fuck.  While fitting in seems easiest, losing who you are for the sake of it is never worth it.  You won't see these people ever again in ten years time, so don't care what they think of you now.  The only thing that matters is what you think of yourself.  Besides, who wants to be just another teenage stereotype?

And remember...

High school is not forever.  It may seem like your entire life now, but it will fly by faster than you think.  These aren't going to be your glory years, but that doesn't mean you can't make them count.  One way or another, you'll survive it and come out better for it in the end.