When I was younger, I dreamed and dreamed of going to high school. The prospect of being a teenager and choosing my own classes and participating in extracurricular activities thrilled me. The High School Musical movies only enhanced my excitement, along with the excitement of dozens of young minds. Now that I’m about to enter my senior year of high school, I can tell you with confidence, high school is nothing like High School Musical. It’s better.
Subject change: I have a hate-love relationship with social media. I think it allows people to hide behind a screen, forces us to compare the highlights of other’s lives to the entirety of ours, and compels us to conform to a world that has moved incredibly far from its Creator. But, I also believe that social media has the power to maintain relationships, inform us of current events, and gives us a platform to spread Christ and empower others. As I’ve been scrolling through my Twitter feed lately, I’ve noticed negativity seeping into and controlling the lives of high school students. Tweets like “Moment of silence for all the 8th graders who think high school is gonna be fun” and “high school is the worst experience of my life” are everywhere. Honestly, I don’t understand.
I’m heading into my fourth year of high school, and I absolutely love it. Now I will agree, there are definitely aspects of high school that cause intense pressure on teenagers, in some cases resulting in depression and anxiety, especially as graduation approaches. But like anything, high school is what you make of it. People say highschool changes everyone, but I disagree. The relationships I have made and strengthened in high school have changed me and the way I look at life since my freshman year. I’m not just talking about my best friends, even though I wouldn’t be the person I am today without any of them. I’ve encountered countless opportunities to share the Gospel, and the varying responses helped me realize how desperately I need Jesus. I’ve had my heart broken as dear friends struggled with depression and anxiety, then fought (and won, praise God) battles with suicide. One of my biggest passions is now suicide prevention, and I’ve been blessed with multiple platforms from which to speak life into others. I’ve witnessed the power of sharing a smile, speaking a kind word, and standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of praying for others. I’ve watched prayer change lives. I’ve discovered how vitally important it is to pray not only for your people, but for your teachers, your directors, your coaches, the quiet girl sitting unnoticed at the back of the room, the mean girl. High school hasn’t changed me, but the relationships I’ve made in high school have.
I’ve chosen to embrace high school, and to give it everything I have. I’ve chosen to give my relationships value, whether that means loving the outcast in my freshman P.E. class, talking to my U.S. history teacher before class starts, or walking with my best friends in the halls. I’ve chosen to become involved, through which God has given me platforms to speak out in awareness of the things that break my heart. I’ve chosen to love learning, regardless of teaching styles or teacher’s attitudes. Above all, I’ve chosen to follow where God leads - and it’s made all the difference in the world. It hasn’t been perfect. Not every moment I’ve had in highschool has been full of sunshine. I’ve weathered the storms, and I’ve learned from them.
I implore you, whether you’re an incoming freshman with bright eyes, a future senior just ready to graduate, or anything in between, embrace high school. Believe in yourself. Learn something new every day. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Love fiercely and without regret. Pray for each other. Find out what breaks your heart. Speak up for what you believe in. Follow where God leads you.
No, this isn’t High School Musical, but maybe it doesn't have to be.
Subject change: I have a hate-love relationship with social media. I think it allows people to hide behind a screen, forces us to compare the highlights of other’s lives to the entirety of ours, and compels us to conform to a world that has moved incredibly far from its Creator. But, I also believe that social media has the power to maintain relationships, inform us of current events, and gives us a platform to spread Christ and empower others. As I’ve been scrolling through my Twitter feed lately, I’ve noticed negativity seeping into and controlling the lives of high school students. Tweets like “Moment of silence for all the 8th graders who think high school is gonna be fun” and “high school is the worst experience of my life” are everywhere. Honestly, I don’t understand.
I’m heading into my fourth year of high school, and I absolutely love it. Now I will agree, there are definitely aspects of high school that cause intense pressure on teenagers, in some cases resulting in depression and anxiety, especially as graduation approaches. But like anything, high school is what you make of it. People say highschool changes everyone, but I disagree. The relationships I have made and strengthened in high school have changed me and the way I look at life since my freshman year. I’m not just talking about my best friends, even though I wouldn’t be the person I am today without any of them. I’ve encountered countless opportunities to share the Gospel, and the varying responses helped me realize how desperately I need Jesus. I’ve had my heart broken as dear friends struggled with depression and anxiety, then fought (and won, praise God) battles with suicide. One of my biggest passions is now suicide prevention, and I’ve been blessed with multiple platforms from which to speak life into others. I’ve witnessed the power of sharing a smile, speaking a kind word, and standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Most importantly, I’ve learned the importance of praying for others. I’ve watched prayer change lives. I’ve discovered how vitally important it is to pray not only for your people, but for your teachers, your directors, your coaches, the quiet girl sitting unnoticed at the back of the room, the mean girl. High school hasn’t changed me, but the relationships I’ve made in high school have.
I’ve chosen to embrace high school, and to give it everything I have. I’ve chosen to give my relationships value, whether that means loving the outcast in my freshman P.E. class, talking to my U.S. history teacher before class starts, or walking with my best friends in the halls. I’ve chosen to become involved, through which God has given me platforms to speak out in awareness of the things that break my heart. I’ve chosen to love learning, regardless of teaching styles or teacher’s attitudes. Above all, I’ve chosen to follow where God leads - and it’s made all the difference in the world. It hasn’t been perfect. Not every moment I’ve had in highschool has been full of sunshine. I’ve weathered the storms, and I’ve learned from them.
I implore you, whether you’re an incoming freshman with bright eyes, a future senior just ready to graduate, or anything in between, embrace high school. Believe in yourself. Learn something new every day. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Love fiercely and without regret. Pray for each other. Find out what breaks your heart. Speak up for what you believe in. Follow where God leads you.
No, this isn’t High School Musical, but maybe it doesn't have to be.