Surviving High School

First things first. High School is not like Mean Girls or High School Musical. High school is the real thing. Either you learn how to play it or you will get played. Many people think high school is just one more phase they need to go through in order to be someone in life. In my opinion, this is true, but not always. Many people have become successful without getting an education. However, this is rare. Unless you become a youtuber, or a singer, or a drug dealer. For me, the only way to become truly successful is with an education. Education is the key to success. Yes, it is hard, not everyone is fortunate enough to get an education. But to those that think that school is unnecessary, or boring, just know that there are people out there that wish they were in your shoes. It is not late for you to get that education.

When I entered high school I only had two friends. My best friends, the ones that I have gone through everything with. I have always maintained my group of friends really small, not because I am antisocial, because I am not. The reason is that I rather have two true, realists friends than thirty fake beings. In high school, I made sure that this was the case as well. I surrounded myself with people that represented me, that thought like me. I know that the people I hang out, represented me in some way, and what I stood for, so I made sure to pick my friends wisely. I hang out with the top students, the ones that made school their number one priority because I knew that they were going to push me to do my very best.

I have never been into partying or drinking. I knew that high school was like the entry to that kind of world. I always knew what I wanted from high school, so I made sure to stick by it. I knew that many kids were going to start going to parties on Fridays, and go smoke weed in the park, skip class, not do their homework because they were too busy having sex, or whatever. The first week of school I already knew who I needed to stay away because they were no good. The majority of the students fall for peer pressure. They feel like if they are not accepted into the “clique” that they are not worth it. Well, let me break this to you. You don’t need to be in a group to be someone. You don’t need to try the new drug because that is the new wave. Many students fail their first two years in high school because they try so hard to be part of a group, that they forget who they are, or their purpose. You do not need to be in bad company so that you won’t feel alone. You are better of worrying about yourself. Now I am not saying don’t have friends, but just know who you are socializing with, and if what they want for you is sincere. Because when hard times come, they will forget about you, I guarantee you this.

For me, high school was like a puzzle, which I needed to solve. The only way for me to get through this puzzle, I needed a strategy. Mines was time management. Many people used to say that I was weird, because I was a loner, because all I cared was about school, that I had no life because I used to read 24/7. All these hate comments I used to brush off. I knew they hated comments because the other people don’t want to see you thrive. Humanity is fucked up, but it is what it is.

I entered high school with one purpose. To become Salutatorian of my graduating class. I dedicated all my time to learning the material properly. I studied for all my exams, quizzes, and projects. I knew that in order for me to see good grades I needed to apply myself because no one was going to do the work for me. I used to plan my schedule for the day every day on the train on my to school and on my way home. During my lunch period I used to do the homework I was given before lunch. People would see me in the cafeteria and they would tell me to just "chill", and I used to be like "Ummm, no." Time was really important to me, it still is, so I needed to cherish it as much as I could. I knew that after school I had volleyball practice, so I needed to do my homework when I had the time. When I got home it used to be like 7 p.m. so I barely had time for myself. I also used to do my homework on the train.

When an essay is assigned, and you have a 2 week period to do it I recommend you to start doing it the day it was assigned. You usually be like, “I will start it tomorrow”. Then tomorrow comes and you have a lot of homework. Then you say that you will start the essay the next day. The thing is you keep pushing it and pushing it, trying to avoid it. Honey, come on. Next thing you know the essay is due tomorrow, and you don’t even have the introduction. Then you're fucked. But you trying to be cool and all you post it. It is 3 a.m. and you are starting your essay. This talks much about the kind of person you are. But who cares what people say about you, right? The thing you are being oblivious about is the fact that you are hurting yourself. Leaving things for last minute hasn’t affected you yet. Wait until you get to college, and have 3 essays due for the next day. I mean what do I know?? Always try to get all your work out of the way, so that you could just relax. I used to love seeing my friends, stressing and killing themselves writing their essays the day before. They used to be like, “Yerika you did your essay?” and I used to be like “I’ve been done.” Little did they know that the teacher had revised it and given me comments, and I was on my way to a 100.

Another way to thrive in high school is to involve yourself in as many opportunities as you can. Join all the clubs, do all the community services, do whatever you can. The more you involve yourself in the school community the better. I joined the volleyball team because I love the team if you have not noticed yet, #B4. I joined the Law Enforcement Explorers program because I wanted to learn discipline. I was working with one of my teachers for different programs because I wanted to expand my knowledge in the workforce. I used to hate not having a full agenda, I still do. I try to maintain myself occupied 24/7. Many people hate doing many things. I suggest that you find a balance, what works for you. Now don’t try to go crazy involving yourself in a lot of activities that you can’t handle. Just try to push yourself a little.

How did I manage to still become salutatorian with a boyfriend? For me having a boyfriend and school wasn’t that challenging, because I knew how to handle so many responsibilities. I knew how to prioritize between both of them. My boyfriend and I started dating in April of our Junior year. Almost ending school wasn’t a challenge. When we entered Senior year, I always made time for him at the end of the night to talk to him, after I was done with all my homework of course. I used to motivate him to do his homework as well, because even him, has a problem with time management. I tried my best to implement it in him, and it worked for some time. I used to be like, “Chris, call me when you're done with ALL your homework.” Two hours later my phone was ringing. Not only did this work on him, but it helps us both find that balance of school and a relationship. I know that not everyone can handle school and a relationship. My advice to you is to prioritize school first. If that person really loves you they will understand that your number one priority is school, and they will support you 100%.

The last thing I want to talk about is attendance. Many students do not like to wake up early. I hate waking up early especially in the winters. But that doesn’t give me an excuse to be late to school. You might not care, but this talks volume about you. If you develop this habit, what makes you think that in the future, when you get a job, that your boss is going to be okay with it. Unless you are your own boss, you are going to be FIRED! So try to improve your attendance. I am going to tell ya a little story. My boyfriend used to be late to school almost every day. I hated this because in the morning he had AP Spanish Literature, and the teacher used to love to give do nows, and 0’s where horrible for your grade. So I used to tell Chris that I was not going to kiss him or hold his hand unless he was early to school. I know I am mean, sorry. But because of this, his attendance improved tremendously. One time he only had 5 minutes to get to school and he was in 42 street, and our school is in 50 street. He ran, he made it in time. I was shooked.

Thank you for giving me the time of your day to read this piece. If you have any questions regarding high school do not hesitate to ask me. If you have any suggestions please let me know. Remember I am not the best writer. If you do happen to find a grammar mistake on this piece, please email me.

---

Stay tuned for my next blog -> Pros and Cons Of Cashiering :)

XOXO Yerika