Never did I ever think I would join a class like journalism. I didn’t know myself and was thrown into this class without signing up. All I knew was that I was not good at math. I can’t do numbers or anything with statistics, but I could write. I had previously taken creative writing, which somehow stemmed into Journalism I. In Journalism I, you do not get to write for the paper just yet, but you do learn all about the Journalism world, and how to put your ideas onto paper.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Journalism I, but I knew how exciting it would be to write for a newspaper, and I was intrigued, so I did it. I signed back up for Journalism 2 for my senior year. I began to look more into writing, where I wrote poetry, won contests for short stories, and eventually decided just this year that I think I had finally found what I wanted to do in college.
As a freshman, you really do not go into high school knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life, because I surely didn’t. But the experiences you get in high school, I truly believe is what makes a difference. It’s what helps you to make these decisions in the long run by giving you the exposure to the things you’re good at.
On the first day of freshman year, I was getting on the bus. It was pouring outside and we had just walked through the doors, and my friend and I completely slipped and fell to the ground on top of one another. I used to be one to get embarrassed of moments like that, but instead I started laughing and got up, making jokes about it after. I knew then that high school was so much different, and I could be confident because no one but myself is going to remember it, so it really doesn’t matter enough to get embarrassed or stress out about it.
Throughout high school, I joined clubs that I never thought in a million years I would join. I joined drama club on a whim my freshman year, and let’s just say, never judge a book by its cover because I have met some of my now best friends through that company. Just the drama company alone has given me so many differencing experiences and opportunities that I would not get anywhere else. If you can put yourself out there, and try a club you normally wouldn’t, do it. Do not listen to the stereotypes, and just try it out for yourself, you never know where that turn may take you.
Never stay with a specific group of people or only surround yourself with specific groups. I have found that by doing all these activities, I have made differing friend groups, that all range from what’s considered popular kids, to unpopular, the drama kids, all the way to the pro sports kids. It’s because in the end, we all are really the same, and by opening your view wider and experiencing all kinds of differing groups, is what sets you up for success in being comfortable and friendly with everyone.
I myself have friends that may be considered alternative, or basic, shy, or outgoing, more inclusive, or on the curious side, because of the groups I have chosen to surround myself in, and where I have chosen to place myself through my high school experience. Your experience is only as far as you take it, so push it to the max and walk into that interest meeting with not a clue in the world what that club may be about. Just go looking for the possibility of an experience, or a friend.
I know any upper-class student may say this but, high school is the fastest 4 years. It goes by in a blink. I never truly listened to anyone that said that until I experienced it for myself.
Lastly, remember to always include others. We live in a harsh world, so including someone at your lunch table or in a conversation will not hurt. Try something new, no matter how far out of your comfort zone it may be and make the most out of the brief time you’re here for. This is only a small fraction of your life, so go to that football game, join that club, try out for a sport you have never done before, volunteer, and put yourself out there. You never know where that decision may lead you.