<p>I graduated from high school in June last year, but still have a sizable number of regrets regarding things I could have done, but didn't do, in high school. Perhaps I'm more vulnerable to feeling inadequate at this point in the year, since I've re-applied to colleges and haven't had any acceptances yet. Anyway, this is just a way for me to blow off steam - and perhaps for you too, unless you're wiser than me and therefore don't have any regrets at all. ;) </p>
<p>My list: </p>
<ul>
<li>Not making full use of my AoPS books so I could have qualified for the AIME in my senior year. It was definitely within my reach. </li>
<li>Not being as serious about studying (well, self-studying) for Calc BC as I should have been.</li>
<li>Taking Chemistry sophomore year - should have opted for AP Physics B instead. That class would have been significantly easier due to the teacher, and I'd also have an AP science on my transcript.</li>
<li>Taking certain teachers' comments too seriously, especially the ones who told me to my face that I was stupid or hinted that I just wasn't intelligent enough. This is actually by far my biggest regret of all of them - in retrospect, the rest aren't such a big deal. I should really have learned not to take everything at face value. If I hadn't, I think things would have been vastly different. Obviously, inherent intelligence plays a role in success, but its role is nowhere as large as that of diligence, motivation, and taking care of yourself physically (nutrition, exercise, etc.). Looking back on things, I don't even think I was inherently stupid at all - I may not have been a genius, but at least I was above average (relative to the rest of the world). </li>
</ul>
<p>I think that just about covers it. These are real things I regret because given my circumstances, I could have done them if I'd just tried harder. What are yours (if you have any)?</p>
<p>@ FantasyVesperia: I actually had difficulty with that too. Being the classic CC overachievers that we are, I think we all tend to be hesitant when it comes to asking for help - after all, everyone likes to be thought of as the person who can answer/resolve everyone’s own questions, not the person who asks those questions. But that’s the thing that (I believe) many freshmen at top colleges find out: when they are no longer the big fish in a small pond, they become daunted and depressed, etc. DON’T do that! Seriously, getting your concerns cleared up is much better than pretending to know the material when you actually don’t understand it that well.</p>
<p>^ Aw, you two should brighten up. I’m sure not EVERYTHING is wrong - and this is coming from someone who suffered a pretty serious bout of depression during her junior year.</p>
<p>I had to move mid-summer going into my senior year. It sucked. Was the worst thing that could of happened to me at that time. I was already a two-year starter in football, and was going on my third. I was the 4th junior captain in school history, the same year our team became the 4th in school history to make the state playoffs.</p>
<p>Then mid-summer, there was a huge issue that occurred, and my parents forced me to move.</p>
<p>I played football down here, made a lot for myself and was even named All-County. But I didn’t really get that “senior year” I had always hoped for. </p>
<p>Still, I’m headed to NYC for college next year, and am ready to make it big for myself. As much as I would of loved to have experienced that stereotypical “jock” senior year, I feel like I’m stronger as a person now. I have higher expectations for myself than I did before.
Remember, life “begins” after high school. It doesn’t end.</p>
<p>Never have any regrets. Everything happens for a reason.</p>
<p>-I regret that I didn’t apply to more schools so that I wouldn’t have to go to the dump I’m going to.
-I regret that I didn’t get a job sooner
I regret that I didn’t do more with my time over the summer.
-I regret that I didn’t study more for my ACTs.</p>
<p>I’m not finished with HS yet, but I already regret dating a guy just to see what it was like to have a boyfriend. And also not doing any sports, because now I’m so weak and pale.</p>
<p>I regret not being more social and judging all jocks as bad guys that are players whenever they tried to talk to me…I found out later some of the guys weren’t how I thought they were</p>
<p>I regret nothing because I’m awesome and perfect and if anyone disagrees with me they are wrong.
On a more serious note, I can’t really think of anything I regret. I was always myself and never conformed to any groups. I’d rather be unique and disliked by some than to be some dumb jock and liked by the “cool” kids.</p>
<p>I kind of regret not taking AP Euro sophomore year… If I had taken that and gotten an A, then I’d be co-valedictorian. That doesn’t really bother me a massive amount though, I’m happy being 3.</p>
<p>I regret not playing water polo freshman year.</p>
<p>I regret not doing a ton of community service.</p>
<p>I regret letting my friends make my life miserable.</p>
<p>I regret not hanging out with my friends more often ever since sophomore year. I regret not treating my parents nicely, especially when I was stressed and just yelled at people for no reason. I regret not going out with the guy I could have gotten with. I regret neglecting my health in favor of schoolwork…I have acquired insomnia now and a load of health problems to come with it. Etc.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would trade all my academic achievements (grades, test scores, everything) to have had more of a social life. </p>
<p>High school for me will have been four years wasted. Four years spent in preparation for another four years of stress in college.</p>
I’m sure not EVERYTHING is wrong - and this is coming from someone who suffered a pretty serious bout of depression during her junior year.</p>