This is Part One in a two-part series about the best and worst things about high school. Click here to see Part Two.
~Taking AP classes~
Taking AP and honors courses is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself while trudging through high school. Although they may present a bit of a challenge, these classes will definitely prepare you for college and future careers. Plus, taking them will help bump up your rank and you have a chance to gain college credit, meaning that getting a good score on the test can make you exempt from taking an entry-level college course your freshman year.
~Friends~
Contrary to popular belief, some of the friends you make in high school really could be life-long friends; you just have to stay connected. High school friends help you to realize that you're not the only one who feels like you're "dying" from having so much homework or feeling so much stress. They are there to cheer you on and support you through the whole process of trying to figure out your future. Even if those friends move away and go off to different colleges, you will always remember how they helped you study for that big test or took your mind off of it by taking you to the movies.
~Study hall~
If your school offered a study hall class, you probably took it. Study hall is great because it gives you time to complete homework before you get home or to your next class. If you don't have any homework to finish, you have the option of reading or browsing Pinterest (if your school allows the use of the Internet during class). By far, study hall helped me finish the extra load I had from taking AP courses. While it's not an academic class, it will be very beneficial if you are involved in any extracurriculars (sports, clubs, jobs) or take AP classes.
~Spirit week~
Although having school spirit never really appealed to me, I always had fun dressing up for the different themed days during Spirit Week--the week of Homecoming. Some themes were Decades Day, Holiday Day, and Character Day. This week was both fun and hectic, with people in crazy wigs and costumes walking down the halls. Even though you may have received a lot of looks, they weren't judging you because just about EVeryone was dressed weird.
~Driving/learning to drive~
Freedom!...kind of. In high school, you're finally old enough to start driving, and though you may not get a car right away, you will gain experience for when you drive to college or to your job. Learning to drive is a great and terrible thing (as you will read in Part Two). You can take yourself out to be with friends, pick up snacks for yourself when your mom won't buy any, etc.
~College visits~
Visiting college campuses gives you a look into what the college will be like on a normal week day. This helps you be able to see if you like the atmosphere or not. If not, you can always visit another campus or sit in on a class. Visiting colleges is just a step in the college-choosing process that will make it easier to choose.
~Graduation~
Graduation! The ceremony of high school's end! I think that just about covers it.
Taking AP and honors courses is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself while trudging through high school. Although they may present a bit of a challenge, these classes will definitely prepare you for college and future careers. Plus, taking them will help bump up your rank and you have a chance to gain college credit, meaning that getting a good score on the test can make you exempt from taking an entry-level college course your freshman year.
~Friends~
Contrary to popular belief, some of the friends you make in high school really could be life-long friends; you just have to stay connected. High school friends help you to realize that you're not the only one who feels like you're "dying" from having so much homework or feeling so much stress. They are there to cheer you on and support you through the whole process of trying to figure out your future. Even if those friends move away and go off to different colleges, you will always remember how they helped you study for that big test or took your mind off of it by taking you to the movies.
~Study hall~
If your school offered a study hall class, you probably took it. Study hall is great because it gives you time to complete homework before you get home or to your next class. If you don't have any homework to finish, you have the option of reading or browsing Pinterest (if your school allows the use of the Internet during class). By far, study hall helped me finish the extra load I had from taking AP courses. While it's not an academic class, it will be very beneficial if you are involved in any extracurriculars (sports, clubs, jobs) or take AP classes.
~Spirit week~
Although having school spirit never really appealed to me, I always had fun dressing up for the different themed days during Spirit Week--the week of Homecoming. Some themes were Decades Day, Holiday Day, and Character Day. This week was both fun and hectic, with people in crazy wigs and costumes walking down the halls. Even though you may have received a lot of looks, they weren't judging you because just about EVeryone was dressed weird.
~Driving/learning to drive~
Freedom!...kind of. In high school, you're finally old enough to start driving, and though you may not get a car right away, you will gain experience for when you drive to college or to your job. Learning to drive is a great and terrible thing (as you will read in Part Two). You can take yourself out to be with friends, pick up snacks for yourself when your mom won't buy any, etc.
~College visits~
Visiting college campuses gives you a look into what the college will be like on a normal week day. This helps you be able to see if you like the atmosphere or not. If not, you can always visit another campus or sit in on a class. Visiting colleges is just a step in the college-choosing process that will make it easier to choose.
~Graduation~
Graduation! The ceremony of high school's end! I think that just about covers it.