As we all know graduation is right around the corner! I am going to be graduating in about a month so I wanted to share some advice I have for next year’s upperclassmen. I go to a really small school in Colorado so my experience may be different from yours but I feel like the advice will reach a multitude of audiences. I feel like all the advice out there for high school students is always from people that go to these huge schools with a bunch of different classes, clubs and sports. I will be graduating with 21 other students this year. When I say small I mean it! However I have created many amazing memories throughout high school in addition to being successful academically. I am both Class President and Valedictorian of the 2023 graduating class and will be going to college with only 2 and a half years left. Though I have a small town background I feel like this advice his helpful to any/ everyone.

Tip #1

Start doing college classes! My school allowed us to be enrolled in a nearby community college (concurrent enrollment) that they paid for! I was able to enroll in 2-3 college classes per semester. All you have to do is pass a small test in order to take these higher level courses. This gave me a great head start towards my college degree. If you don’t plan to go to college it can still be beneficial to take a college course especially if it’s free. Now I wouldn’t say take Calculus 2 if you don’t plan to go to college after high school because I would never want you to do that but it may be helpful to take something like personal finance. However if your school offers college classes definitely take them up on it. Taking your base level classes is the safest bet. Throughout just two years of high school you can go from wanting to be a nurse to wanting to be an accountant and these two careers do not have a lot of overlapping classes. It’s smart to start small with classes that everyone needs like biology and college algebra.

Tip #2

Party it up! I’m just kidding. Just because you are an upperclassman doesn’t mean you can start acting like a crazy party animal. Yes you are both older and more mature than the underclassmen with much more freedom but you are also faced with so much responsibility. I can’t tell you how many people thought that just because they could drive and go where they wanted that they were “living it up”. Hate to remind you but junior year is probably the hardest year of high school; at least it was for me. You are faced with all these new challenges: figuring out what you want to do with your life, college classes, SATs, looking at colleges you might want to go to and so much more. It’s important to set expectations for yourself as well as goals for the upcoming year(s).

Tip #3

Be a leader! You’re an upperclassman now which means you know the works on how to do everything. Don’t be the rude senior all the freshman/sophomores despise. Encourage the people around you, especially the younger ones. I had seniors who “took me in” when I was a freshman and they made me feel included as well as gave me helpful tips. Sharing your know how of the school as well as the people in it can save your favorite freshies a lot of trouble.

Tip #4

START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! A lot of scholarships are only for seniors but so many open up junior year as well. It’s a great way to get ahead and potentially save you a lot of money. Even if you don’t get any of the scholarships you applied for junior year you will still have all of those personal essays and crafted answers that you’ve already worked on so that all you have to do is maybe revise a little and turn them in senior year. When applying for scholarships senior year it’s so hard to stay on top of classwork as well as scholarship deadlines especially when you’re asking for recommendation letters left and right. All in all it can be a lot, so having prewritten essays will save you a lot of time and hassle.

Tip #5

Create a Resume! I can not tell you enough to simply make a resume. There are so many easy fill out templates out there that you can use. Start writing about all the clubs you’re involved in, your community service, leadership positions, everything. I used to think that you need to be looking for a higher up job in order to need a resume but that’s not true! A lot of scholarships ask for resumes and even if they don’t ask for a resume specifically most of their questions can be found on your resume. It’s a document that states all your accomplishments and skills so get on that asap!

Tip #6

Don’t get involved in drama! No one likes being in drama. Not only is drama distracting but it’s also an energy sucker. Note that drama is “She said this about” “I heard he did this with her ” all of that is just high schoolers talking but as soon as words get thrown around and people get angry with one another this is when drama really starts. The best advice I can give to anyone is to mind your own business. If it has absolutely nothing to do with you, do not get involved. This may be really straight forward advice but so many people waste time and energy over drama in high school. There comes a point where you just need to grow up.

Tip #7

Come to terms that growing up means that you are changing not only physically but mentally. You may outgrow old friendships and that’s okay. Do not hold on to the past. Doing what’s best for you will allow you to meet your people and really enjoy high school. Finding a good solid friend group is so beneficial in high school.

Tip #8

Make Memories! Don’t get overly involved in school and other activities that you forget to enjoy the little things. It’s okay to take time and hangout with your friends. If anything it’s crucial that you make time to hangout with your friends. The last two years of high school get really busy so make it a priority to be with the people you care about.

Tip #9

Be Yourself! It’s really easy to lose your personality in high school because you’re being pulled in all these different directions. Don’t ever change who you are to fit someone else’s standards or to make other people happy. Always do what’s going to make you happy! Make sure you are taking care of yourself both mentally and physically as well so you don’t become super drained.

Tip #10

Put yourself out there! This is your time to take new exciting opportunities, if you can. As you grow up you are going to be presented with different adventures so it is always good to keep an open mind. If you’ve always wanted to join a new club, do it! If you take new opportunities you are giving yourself a chance to learn and grow as a person!

I personally went on a trip with my schools travel club to Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington where I got to explore so many different places and famous land marks. I personally grew so much from this trip and was so thankful I was able to go especially with the people that also went. I created even stronger bonds with the people I knew and have memories that will last a life time.

Tip #11

Think Smarter not Harder! I know it’s easier said than done but it’s true. If you are getting too busy and need to choose what assignments you just can’t do make sure it’s the ones worth less points. Most classes have a scale/ grading system so you can see what your assignments are worth. Make sure you are providing quality work on those bigger assignments so that the smaller ones don’t matter as much. In addition, use your resources! No I’m not telling you to cheat but there are so many resources at your fingertips that can help you so much with classwork. My favorite tools are Quizlet, Chegg, and Citation Machine. I can find answers, study and cite all my resources with these three tools.

Tip #12

Be Respectful to Your Teachers! I don’t care if you get called a teacher’s pet because building a relationship with your teacher will make it so much easier for you when you start asking for recommendation letters. Not only will being respectful make you look like a good student but it will also make them WANT to write you a good recommendation letter. Building a relationship allows your teacher to have a good base to write about which is so much better than the generic recommendation letter most people get.

Tip #13

Don’t Stress Yourself Out! It is so easy to get overwhelmed when there is so much going on. Make sure to take time for yourself and maybe even take a step back to see if you need to change anything in your life. The hustle can cripple you so be careful in what all you’re taking on. Be sure that all the things in your life either make you happy or get you a step closer to accomplishing your goals!

Tip #14

Get Over Senioritis! I am graduating this year so I know how hard the senioritis hits but it is essential to keep pushing. Just because you’re about to graduate doesn’t mean it’s time to stop showing up. Push through, keep working hard and you will accomplish great things. It’s okay to let the senioritis get to you every once in a while as long as it doesn’t become a habit.

Tip #15

Be the Best YOU You Can Be! Just like tip #9 being yourself is the best reward. It’s high school, figure out all the things you like and don’t like. Take risks! Grow! Learn! This is the time to find who you are and who you want to be. Wisdom doesn’t come all at once. It is not till you’re getting ready to walk across that stage at the end of the year that you realize all the people and experiences in your life made you who you are. Be grateful for everything, good or bad.

That’s all I have for you guys today! Hopefully you will take my advice and absolutely thrive in high school. I wouldn’t change a thing about my high school experience and I hope someday you can say the same. Wish you the best of luck in each and every one of your endeavors. So much love,

-Nikki Smith