I was initially apprehensive and a little puzzled when asked to write this article, but it ended up being a meaningful opportunity to reflection my time at LM. I was not invested in my high school experience, or at least not in the ways I thought I would be. If I could best describe my path in high school, it would mirror the way I choose a hiking trail: picking a path to start on but being open to switching if another one overlaps or looks more appealing. Going from a soccer-obsessed, computer-science-studying freshman, to a costuming, rock-climbing, arts-oriented senior, it is safe to say that a lot has changed throughout my time in high school. However, I cannot say that I am too surprised, as—like most kids—I did not enter high school with a firm trajectory for the next four years.
High school can be stressful at times—balancing academics, activities, and a social life is no easy task. It is also a monumental period of transition, as we find ourselves while gaining confidence for the next step in life. These changes vary from person to person and manifest in different ways, but we should not try to fight them.
I would be a hypocrite to say that it isn’t terrifying to go off the beaten path, but understanding how a positive change expands your opportunities makes trying new things less daunting. I initially felt lost stepping away from a sport I had devoted more than a decade of my life to, but that move helped me find myself in other activities, friends, and experiences that I never would have discovered had I not indulged in my curiosity for something different.
The same goes for my academics. I will never regret taking classes in subjects that in retrospect do not interest me (hey, knowledge is knowledge); high school is an exceptional time to see what sparks your interest in the classroom. Unfortunately, it’s easy—especially at LM—to get caught up in the mentality that what you study, your grades, and how you spend your time puts you on a binding track. It’s not that deep. Take this with a grain of salt since I’m only 17, but there is so much more life and opportunity out there past high school. That being said, make the most of the resources available to you now. Take advantage of the wonderful variety of classes and clubs this school has to offer. Use this time to figure out what you do and don’t like and understand that this era can be a stepping stone on the same path, or the chance to try another.
Even if changes seem small at the moment, looking back on several little shifts will make you realize how much you have grown over time. If you only take away one—or three—things from this ramble, I suggest that you:
Keep an open mind.
Recognize that change is constant in life, and that you are not exempt from it in high school. Rather than ignore it, accept, and even appreciate it.
Follow your curiosity and interests. Passion and curiosity fuel development in arguably every aspect of life. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find something that lights that fire in you, especially in a low-stakes environment like high school.
