High school seniors... Any regrets?

Radicalness
Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:12:34 +0000

Not a senior yet, but I can tell you that the biggest regret I have, and most likely, will ever have about high school is not having my priorities straight freshman and sophomore years, and getting grades that, while not failing or terribly shameful, have generated a lot of stress for me when I consider their effects on my future options. The worst part is not knowing whether or not a strong, or even outstanding academic record for the next 2 years will outweigh this in the eyes of a college admissions board.

However, I have learned several things from my experience, primarily that you only live once, and when you make decisions, you can’t look back, only forward. Nearly as important is knowing that all too often, people in positions of responsibility over you are simply inept, particularly in regards to their job. Nothing can be done about it, and when you recognize this, it’s important to take control of the situation and do what’s best for you, because no one else will. Think Katniss Everdeen. You can blame it on them, but that isn’t going to help you achieve what you want. Lastly, and probably most importantly: if you want something, take it. You wouldn’t believe the resistance I’m getting from some people for something as little as taking a schedule with 6 AP classes, but nothing that they think matters. My chemistry teacher called me a moron today because I’m going to take the AP chemistry exam next May without taking her class. BFD, taking it anyway.

Hopefully all of this makes sense, although I know at least most of it won’t apply to you; you seem a lot more mature than I am and you definitely seem to have your priorities straight with the kind of stats that you have.