While contemplating what I should write about for my last opinion article, the word “advice” immediately came to mind. So, as a gift to the underclassmen of Bryan High, I’ve decided to share some pieces of advice from my personal high school experience.

While I wish that I could give you a magic checklist to follow that will lead you to being a stress-free student who is on a path leading straight to success, I can’t. Everyone’s high school experience will be different, and we are all heading on different paths and coming from different places.

Freshman year: Freshman year can be the best or the absolute worst year of high school, so pick your poison and make sure to pick it wisely. For me, my freshman year was absolutely top tier, arguably my favorite year of high school.

Intimidation and nerves are two undeniable feelings that every freshman experiences the first time they walk through the doors of Bryan High. The best thing to do is to breathe and relax. The most important advice that I would give to freshmen is to explore every single positive opportunity that comes your way, but most importantly, to make the right choices. Everything is fresh and exciting, but freshman year isn’t the time to play when it comes to your academic studies. Stay on top of your work and pass your classes. (Your GPA, class rank, and options of early release or late arrival will thank you later.)

Sophomore year: I absolutely despised being a sophomore. Throughout the year, I was constantly thinking, “Wow, how will I survive two more years here?” At that point, two more years felt like it would be forever, but looking back in time now as a senior, I can’t help but think about how fast time has gone by. So my advice to all sophomores is to keep pushing. The sophomore slump is only temporary, so keep exploring and make memories! 

Junior year: I’ll be real with this one, it is what you make it. Going into junior year, I was absolutely terrified because literally EVERYONE says that junior year will be the absolute worst year of your entire life. Contrary to that, my junior year was actually great. I gained many like-minded friends, and everything just felt like smooth sailing the majority of the time.(besides being flooded with tests).

I won’t deny that I definitely experienced a few canon events, both school-related and in my personal life. But it is what it is, and I’m up now. 

I know at this point in high school you’re really just ready to graduate, but keep pushing; it’ll be over before you know it. Juniors, I advise you to mentally prepare for the massive amount of testing that will be coming your way, but most importantly, DO NOT STRESS ABOUT IT. If you study and pay attention in class, I promise that you will be fine. 

Senior year: I cannot believe that I’m a senior in high school. Looking back over the years, I now see how fast time has gone by.  

I’ve worked so hard to secure my plans after high school, and I’m beyond proud of myself for sticking to and executing the plan. It wasn’t perfect, but I did it.

My current advice to all seniors is to make memories. My biggest regret is not branching out more in my earlier years of high school. There were so many classes and clubs that I wanted to try, but due to the shyness that I’m trying to let go of, I didn’t really try anything new. For example, I really wanted to try choir or get into theatre. Who knows, maybe I would’ve really liked it. Even now, though, it’s not too late to try new things, so grab onto every opportunity. 

I hope the biggest takeaway from this article is to try new things and have no regrets. Good luck to all my senior peers, and thank you, Mrs.Dominy, for allowing the Bryan High Norseman newspaper to be a consistent outlet for my thoughts and opinions throughout high school.