I promised myself that upon finishing junior year and moving up to senior year, I would become more fearless, independent, and willing to take risks. Enrolling in a new school where I knew no one was supposed to be a fresh start for me. However, things didn’t unfold as expected; it turned out to be a regret and a disappointment. Despite this, I focus on the positives — I learned from those mistakes and gained valuable lessons that I hope other high schoolers can learn from and avoid.
Opportunities come because you are meant for them.
I’ve missed numerous opportunities because I believed someone else would be better suited for them. I frequently doubted my abilities and allowed others to take the spotlight. My intense fear of failure kept me stuck in my comfort zone. Looking back, I regret letting these negative thoughts overpower my desire to experience those opportunities fully. How could I inspire others when I struggled to motivate myself? Why did I have so much trust in others and so little in myself?
I wish I had fought harder against my uncertainties and not let those opportunities slip away. To you, believe in yourself and take the first step towards growth by stepping out of your comfort zone.
Failure is part of your growth.
I know failure is painful and can make you question yourself multiple times. However, failure is an essential part of growth. It prompts reflection on areas needing improvement, and the next time you face it, you emerge stronger and more determined. Trust me, that failure will guide you to much better places.
Things might not always unfold as planned, but often, it’s a sign from the universe that there’s a different path meant for you. Throughout my two years in senior high, I encountered numerous setbacks. However, instead of dwelling on what I lost, I shifted my focus to what I gained — a valuable learning experience that significantly contributed to my personal growth.
Sometimes letting go is the best choice.
The school I attended during senior high was not my first choice; it was my parents’ choice, and I never imagined I would go there. They rejected the school I wanted because it was far from our home. I tried to fight for it and offered possible solutions to address their concerns, but they still said no. Initially, it felt like going through a heartbreak. However, along the way, I accepted it and realized that it didn’t happen because I was meant for another place.
Perhaps you needed to let go of those you once treated as home because you are meant to meet better ones. Maybe you had to let go of that school because you belong somewhere else. Let things go, and the pieces will fall into place.
You are you and they are them
Comparison is the biggest enemy of self-love. One of the reasons my confidence hit rock bottom during the last year of my senior high school was because I kept comparing myself to my classmates. I could have surpassed the high achievers if I only dared to recite in class, speak up, and prove that I could. People believed in me, but I wasn’t able to do the same. I listened to the negative voices in my head that brought me down and became deaf to those who wanted to help.
Nothing beats the love you can give to yourself. It’s a unique feeling to look in the mirror and truly love what you see. I want to give myself the love I deserve. I want to be my supporter rather than my biggest critic. If nobody else can give you the love you seek, be the one to give it to yourself. The process of reaching that point may take time, but I know it’s going to be worth it.
Remember that each person has a different life and a unique journey. Don’t let comparison hinder you from becoming the person you want to be. You are you, crafted with a distinct purpose and equipped with your own set of gifts. The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.
Savor every moment; it all passes quickly.
Indeed, high school will be gone before you know it. One day, you are barely familiar with your classmates; the next, you’re bidding farewell to each other. High school might feel like a lengthy journey, but it can abruptly end on a random Friday afternoon. High school is not just about learning the history of your country, the theories of scientists, or the formulas in math; it’s also about navigating friendships, heartbreaks, independence, leadership, and personal growth.
Don’t rush to adulthood, because once you get there, you might yearn to turn back time and relive your high school days. Don’t confine yourself to your comfort zone; confess your feelings to that special someone, join clubs or organizations, express gratitude to your teachers, participate actively in class, make as many friends as you can, and create a high school experience you’ll proudly reminisce about.
High school will inevitably come to an end, so follow your heart’s desires and savor every moment of it.
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Author’s note: These are the lessons I promised to share with you in my post titled ‘i always wanted to grow up, until i slowly started becoming one’, and now, at eighteen, I’ve had time to reflect on what those two years of senior high school taught me. There are things I didn’t achieve or become, and I hope you can learn from my mistakes. Please take these lessons to heart and revisit them with a smile. I genuinely hope my words resonate with you. Every writer dreams of inspiring their readers, and I hope I’ve done so with these lessons I wrote from the heart. Life didn’t go as planned for me, but I hope it goes well for you. Thank you for being here.
