High school.
I can’t believe it’s been almost 10 years since I’ve officially graduated from mine.
I remember being scared about entering high school as I’ve seen a lot of teenage TV shows and movies that made high school seem more intimidating than it was, at least in my experience.
I don’t remember looking forward to any specific high school events or goals that I wanted to accomplish. I was most excited about “growing up” and experiencing new things with my closest friends.
I was never into any dances, parties, sports, or anything involving being a social butterfly – which was practically everything outside of the simple studying.
I had a pretty average high school life, and, at the time, I was completely content with that.
As I look back now, there is a part of me that wishes I was able to do more and create more memories during those four years. I allowed my fears, close-mindedness, and insecurities to hold me back from experiencing high school life to even half of its potential.
And by more, I don’t necessarily mean attending dances and parties. I would’ve loved to attend my senior prom, participate more during spirit weeks, and study harder.
High school comes once in a lifetime. Although it’s only four years, we enter as young teenagers, and we leave as young adults.
I didn’t make my four years count as much as I now would’ve liked to.
Make the most out of yours.
The goal list is intended to cover all four years of high school. Some can be aimed to achieve every semester or every school year. Some can be one-time goals or goals that are exciting and challenging to achieve multiple times. Of course, there are goals that are more intended for junior and senior years, such as attending prom.
The goals are also focused on student life and anything related to, well, school.
Lastly, you do not have to do everything on the list. The important thing is to accomplish as many as you feel comfortable taking on – whether they’re something challenging for you or something you’ve been wanting to do and can’t wait to cross out. Feel free to revise any of these as you wish as well. If you’re not into sports, instead of joining a sports team, you can enter any other club that your school offers as a substitute.
Making the Best of High School
- Attend a sports event and cheer for your school team
- Get straight A's
- Wear a costume to school on Halloween
- Freshmen, write a letter to your senior self
- Send out at least one college application
- Volunteer with a school club
- Go to at least one school play or band concert
- Start practicing time management
- Make the honor roll
- Be a teacher's aid
- Dance in a pep rally
- Participate in a student exchange program
- Run a mile in PE class
- Graduate
- Achieve perfect attendance for at least one semester
- Celebrate big and small achievements
- Get accepted into college
- Have other options/directions post-high school prepared
- Start taking available college courses
- Make at least one new friend
- Be with a high school sweetheart
- Join a sports team
- Become an Honor Society member
- Be awarded a superlative
- Pass all classes
- Apply for at least one scholarship
- Join a cause or organization outside of school
- Start a college bucket/goal list
- Read at least 14 books
- Take a picture on the first day of each school year
- Have a designated "spot" for the friend group
- Take a class photo for each class at the end of the school year
- Take an elective class that you're a complete newbie on
- Buy a class shirt and/or ring
- Eat in the lunchroom
- Go on a school field trip
- Attend a school dance
- Get an A for at least one final exam
- Land a role or be part of production in a school play
- Do something memorable during Spring Break
- Go on the Senior Trip
- Get assignments/projects done days before they're due
- Do something for the environment
- Create a playlist of favorite songs throughout high school
- Take a foreign language class
- Be yourself
- Help someone find their way to class
- Tutor another student
- Go dress/tuxedo shopping
- Have a senior graduation photoshoot
- Take an honors/AP class
- Apply for an internship
- Send a Candy Gram to at least one person
- Get to know instructors
- Run for class office
- Help out at a class's fundraiser
- Let your favorite teacher know how much you appreciate them
- Capture memories through the lens
- Take part in a study group
- Attend Junior/Senior Prom
- Participate n Spirit Week
- Be featured or a member of the school newspaper/newsletter
- Find or be a mentor
- Stand out from the crowd
- Treat everyone with kindness
- Write a memorable quote for the yearbook photos
There are times when I wish I could have done more throughout my high school years.
Times when I wish I didn’t give up too soon. Times when I wish I could relive these years and do things differently or with more enthusiasm and go above and beyond my instructors’ expectations.
10 years later and I’m still wondering how things would’ve played out if, instead, x, y, or z happened and if I would have simply taken more chances.
To the current and upcoming high school students, enjoy these four years.
Don’t try and rush the days.
Stand up for what you believe in.
Be creative in your study habits.
Start paving the way to your dreams and life goals.
Let's chat!
What is your favorite high school memory? If you’re still in high school, what memory do you hope to achieve during your years there?
