To all the underclassmen hoping to get anything out of high school: take your time trying to find out who you are and how to become your best self. This starts with respect; respecting yourself and those around you. Sure, high school isn’t always a good time, but if you spend your time thinking you can disrespect your teachers and peers, you won’t get anything out of your high school experience. You have to be here, so why not make the best of the situation?

Respect your teachers: I will never understand my own peers thinking it’s okay to talk to those in authority like they’re worth nothing to you. Teachers are here to help you, they have your best interest in mind, and if you start disrespecting your mentors and advisors now, you will fail to be prepared for the rest of your life. Teachers have dedicated their lives to shaping you into wonderful people; the future doctors, lawyers, world changers, difference makers, and when you decide to disrespect them you are damaging yourself.

Respect your peers: High school was made for you to find your potential and to prepare you for the future, and nothing makes me sadder than to see my peers talking back to the teacher in the hallway that asks them politely to stop arguing so loudly, or the kids calling their peers derogatory names down the hallway. Your peers are all on this ride with you, trying to survive high school while attempting to find themselves and get the help they need to succeed, they are your equals so it’s time to start treating them like it regardless of your personal feelings because everyone deserves to be respected.

Right now, your peers and teachers are the greatest resources you have, and if you abuse the opportunities for help you are only hurting yourself. Almost everyone knows that high school isn’t actually “the best four years of your life,” but that doesn’t mean you can treat it like you’re too good to be here, because these years shape you if you let them.

Respect yourself: Choose what you do wisely. DO put yourself out there, but DON’T do something stupid for attention because people will lose respect for you. DO take advantage of every new opportunity, but DON’T drive yourself crazy being involved in so many things. Take care of yourself because at the end of the day, only you can know your limits, physically and mentally, and you are the only one that can make decisions for yourself. Also, be sure to stand up for yourself (while being respectful of course) because you are your biggest advocate.

High school has helped me become more confident in myself. I took advantage of the opportunities given and joined high school sports and the journalism staff, both of which gave me the opportunity to put myself out there and to be a part of two very accepting groups of people. If you put yourself in the right situations, it will do nothing but become a beneficial resource for you to find yourself and to prepare you for your future, which after all is what high school is all about.