Spring City, Tennessee, U.S.A. – I remember the first day I walked through the doors of my high school. There was a new sense of excitement flowing through my body. I didn’t know what to expect of the next four years of my life, and I think that’s what brought on the excitement.
I knew opportunities would arise that I had never faced before. This is true for everyone. High school offers an endless amount of opportunities. This doesn’t mean that you should jump on all of them that come into your life though, because some may just turn your life into the next after school special.
Most people have seen their fair share of afternoon dramas on television. A lot of the time, the teenagers in these after school specials are quite rebellious and make all sorts of mistakes.
By the end of the episode, it’s as if the teenager’s previous mistakes had never happened, but it’s not that simple in the real world. Bad decisions aren’t always cleared up so easily. There is no script to follow, and you just have to go with what you think is right.
High school is a time when many people discover who they are, but some aren’t so lucky. Many teenagers end up lost on the road of self discovery.
I know that peer pressure is hard to overcome. It can be prevented, though. All you have to do is make the right decisions, especially when the choice could affect the rest of your life.
Don’t waste your time hanging out with people who try to get you to do things you’re not comfortable doing. If someone offers you drugs or alcohol, just say no. It may be hard, but always stay true to yourself.
It is always a good idea to hang out with the right crowd and become friends with people who have the same morals.
I know adults say these things all the time, but from one peer to another, I hope this means something to you. I listened when I heard this advice, and because of that, I’m going to be walking out my high school doors, as excited on graduating as I was when I entered, and facing a new beginning of endless opportunities.
Sarah Heath is a Junior Reporter for Youth Journalism International.