<p>This is my obligatory graduating senior post. Within it (and I'll keep it short) I will offer some advice, muse on the past four years, and celebrate my most glorious and crushing victory--that admittedly came at a small, inconsequential price.</p>
<p>You may recall this thread:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1279698-victory-gambit-masterminded-my-rival.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/1279698-victory-gambit-masterminded-my-rival.html</a></p>
<p>Well, it's only under the relative anonymity of the internet that I can express my elation in announcing that I DID IT! I won! I have avenged the crushing defeat I suffered in grade school but four years ago, by which I got a measly "3rd place" in my class of ~27 kids who mostly didn't care about school. I AM my high-school's lone valedictorian. And I like it.</p>
<p>Seriously, it feels a little bit like I've wandered through purgatory these last four years in search of redemption--and now it's here. "Redemption" is a good word. I have experienced those feelings of despair that you get when your self-worth is invariably tied to your grades. When you take pride in your work, and yet, you feel as if it gets you nowhere. I'm telling you, it pays off. And it's a superficial prize to be sure--but damn does it mean a lot to me.</p>
<p>Was NOT easy. Boy, did I ever drive it into the ground. I sacrificed a lot of leisure time to get here. But it's given me both new perspective and resolve, and these are things far more important than the special shoal I get to wear at graduation...although that thing <em>is</em> pretty cool.</p>
<p>Anyway, I thought I'd offer some advice/tips to the youngins on this site who wonder what it's like to look back on HS. (more to come...)</p>
<p>Other seniors feel free to join in. That was my hope in making this three is that other 2012ers could discuss/reminisce. </p>
<p>Here’s some things I learned:</p>
<p>-Firstly, decide that you want to work as soon as you get into HS. Too many otherwise smart kids (or kids that know how to “game” the system) in middle school take their foot off the gas pedal when they get to HS. Whatever the reasons are, I don’t know, people lose focus. DON’T. Not only does approaching HS with focus help it seem less daunting at first, it helps in the long run (more on that later, perhaps).</p>
<p>-I’m increasingly convinced that everyone goes through a point of “wishing” they went to another school for whatever reason. That’s an insult to our own potential to make things happen. Just because Middleton Academy has this and your Podunk High doesn’t, doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to get involved in the activities you like. YOU can get what you want at any school if you’re willing to work for it. I’m putting the onus on you here, and not the admittedly overbearing HS environment in which your reside. So Podunk High’s not perfect—adapt! Make things happen! </p>
<p>-I would advise every student to participate in at least one sport. Many tiger parents are opposed to sports because they take up too much time. Dumb. And if “clubs” at your school are anything like the ones at mine, they are NOTHING compared to the closeness and camaraderie you get from participating in sports. Truly, sports (and more importantly, the pasta parties, shenanigans at practice, and the people) were the highlight of my HS career. Don’t ignore them. If your tiger parent doesn’t want you doing them, explain the networking aspect to them. For example, the total number of XC runners I ran with during my HS tenure is less than 20. But among this group are students students who are currently attending our going to attend Harvard, Notre Dame and WUSTL–and our bond through sports allows me to call them some of my closest friends. </p>
<p>That’s all I got for now and I don’t wanna overload. Might add more later, but I want to see your guys’ responses/reactions.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading!</p>