BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – High school is a weird place to spend four years of your life, and on the very first day everyone is a nervous wreck, even the cool kids.
To to help out a little bit, here are my personal tips:
1. Don’t forget who you are. This might sound cheesy but we all know that, once you’re in high school, you’ll be DYING to be part of the popular crowd. And to do that, you’ll have to dress, think, and act a certain way. It may seem like a harmless decision at the time, but when you’re older (maybe even just a year later) you’ll look back and realize that being yourself was always the better option.
2. Concentrate on the things that matter. Schools have a ton of things to offer if you keep your eyes open for opportunities, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to try something new. Being a teenager is the best moment of your life to try different things and to discover who you truly are.3. Find friends who accept and love you. We all go through hell sometimes, but it’s better to have one or two friends there for you than 20 who’ll turn their backs when you need help. Make sure your friends will encourage you to do the things that will benefit you and help you pursue your dreams.
4. This is the most important thing to remember: don’t let anyone push you into doing things you don’t want to. It could be doing drugs, smoking, drinking, something sexual – or maybe simply wearing different clothes. If you don’t want to do it, then no one can force you. There will be things you’ll want to do and that’s fine – it’s part of being a teenager – but make sure it’s your decision, not someone else’s.
I hope my tips are useful. Remember to always be true to who you are and have self-respect. High school is an amazing place to find yourself and you’ll definitely want to make the best of it.
Nadia Rogovsky is a Junior Reporter for Youth Journalism International.
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