High School Should Not Be "The Best Years Of Your Life" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

High School Should Not Be "The Best Years Of Your Life"

There is so much more out there than your high school experiences. You just need to find it.

73
High School Should Not Be "The Best Years Of Your Life"
Huffington Post

If you are convinced that high school was "the best years of your life," then I am sincerely sorry.

Just from my first semester in college, I have experienced so many things that I never did in high school. You have freedom like no other time in your life. You learn about subjects that you actually care about. You perfect your time management skills. The benefits are endless.

Even if you don't attend a college or university, high school should never be the best four years of anyone's life. There is so much out there in the world to see and experience, and so many people are stuck in the ways of their high school life.

Just think about it. There are the people who stay in their hometown forever, marry their high school sweetheart, have some kids, work at the same job for the rest of their lives, and then never do much else. I am not saying that this lifestyle is wrong, but so many people are afraid to move on from the security of what they are familiar with.

High school, so far, was not the worst years of my life nor the best; I regard them purely as a learning experience. I started to develop some autonomy, but not as much as I have in college. I think I have changed and learned more about myself in this first semester than I ever did in my four years of high school.

In my opinion, the best years of your life are the ones in which you learn, whether it is through education, through travel, through volunteering, or all of the above. People should aspire to be well-rounded, culturally sound, independent, and educated individuals. Success, to me, is not about how much money you have or your possessions but rather the opportunities you take and how they shape you.

There is a lovely quote I stumbled upon recently that truly spoke volumes to me: "In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself." Frantz Fanon, a famous twentieth century intellectual, declared these words in his book "Black Skin, White Masks."

I truly believe that every good and bad experience in your life directly influences who you are as a person. If you restrict yourself to your high school accomplishments and are satisfied by those alone, you are not developing your character, interests, skills, or mind.

If you feel like you are one of those people that peaked in high school, it is never too late to change that! It doesn't even require a lot of money in this day and age to become a well-rounded person. Visit your local museum. Volunteer at a local food bank or shelter. Reach out to people you think would make good friends. Read books in your spare time.

Every action you take to better yourself will prove worthwhile in the end, and it is always a good time to pursue your character development. Don't dwell on your past; think towards your future and try to make all of your years "the best years of your life."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193425
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16779
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459292
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27431
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments