With June 3, the day of graduation, coming closer and closer, many seniors have been reflecting on their high school experience and what strategies led them to success. The built-up knowledge seniors possess is valuable and should be shared with younger students so that they, too, can flourish. In the broader context of a lifetime, four short years may seem like an insignificant period of time. However, at the age of 18, when our seniors graduate from high school and continue on with a new stage in their life, high school will have taken up around 22% of their lifetime. These four years are a significant period of intellectual and physical growth, and if used wisely, the four years of high school can play a key role in the success of students for the rest of their lives.
While the monotonous routine of entering the beige building of Austin High, sitting in prism rooms, and leaving after 7 hours have passed is a common experience for the many students that attend our school, the way this time is spent from person to person varies. One senior who has shown assiduous habits and dedication to their education is Megan O’Leary, who will be attending Rice University next year. Megan advises younger students to focus on their grades, saying that “keeping your grades up will set you up for success in the coming years of high school.” In no way are grades a determinant of the value of a person; however, they can prepare students for the future and give them a better chance at getting into university. Freshman year grades hold just as much weight in a GPA as junior year grades, so it is important for younger students to understand the importance of working hard to perform their best. Another senior, Samuel McEathron, shares a similar insight to younger students. McEathron states that if he could go back and tell one thing to his younger self, it would be to “work hard, and apply to colleges and scholarships early.” He shares how important it is to actually try in school in order to create a better future.
While initially, four years of high school may seem like a never-ending path, seniors agree that it is over before you know it. O’Leary advises younger students to “get involved in as many things as [they] can so you can see what interests [them].” Building upon one’s authentic interests to initiate involvement with clubs and service can help build a strong resume. Therefore, it is important for younger students to explore their passions and expose themselves to many extracurricular activities so they can continue their commitment in areas they actually enjoy. Discovering a certain subject or area of study that a student is genuinely interested in can not only make school more enjoyable, but also begin the path of deciding future college majors.
This period of life is not only a time of educational development but also emotional and personal growth. It is a chance to discover your strengths and individuality, pushing yourself to ultimately achieve your goals. Senior Lily Burpo discovered running during her junior year. Starting off from scratch, she discovered an innate talent and joy associated with running and began training consistently to build upon her speed and distance. By February of her senior year, Burpo successfully completed the Austin marathon, running the full 26.2 miles- a feat of unfathomable athleticism for most people at such a young age. Lily’s commitment to running shows that through persistence and fervor, even the impossible can be achievable. Even at just 18 years old, huge accomplishments can be achieved. People like Burpo illustrate the power of the mind and the chance to push boundaries of what is possible.
