Hey y’all. Most of you haven’t met me, but I graduated last year with the class of ‘24, and I’m back to dish out some helpful advice from someone who already made it through.

The first and most important thing I tell everyone who asks how to get the most out of high school is to get involved in something. It can be anything. Even if you’re not the most athletic person, consider trying out for a sport. There’s zero shame in playing on the C-team and you’re only ever going to get better. If sports really aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of clubs that would love to have you. Sports and clubs are hands-down the best way to meet new people with similar interests.

The next thing I want to pass on is that taking care of your physical and mental health is paramount. Don’t be the guy (or gal) who always talks about how they only get 4 hours of sleep a night. It’s not really something to brag about. In the same vein, I would advise against skipping meals to make more time to study. It’s not good for your health in the long run and you study better when you’re not hungry.

Something else I would recommend doing is balancing your class load between your AP and honors courses and your ‘fun’ classes. You’re going to get burned out if you take 7 APs in one semester, but 4 APs, a woodworking class, an art class and a gym class makes for a good balance. Plus, I’ve heard that the newspaper classes are a lot of fun.

The final thing I want to leave you with is that you should support your friends and classmates by showing up and showing out. Going to sporting events or whatever the Drama Club is putting on is the best way to support your friends. Make sure to check socials to find out the theme of the game and arrive in your best themed outfit. On the same topic, participating in Spirit Days is an amazing way to feel involved and included.

Just put yourself out there and make the most of your four years here, and high school will be over before you know it.