Being someone who graduated from high school only 4 years ago, I know what it’s like to struggle to have a good attitude and see all the good that comes from being in school. I have some helpful tips I’d like to share with you to help make your experience a little easier and enjoyable.
- Have an Attitude of Gratitude
This is so important and practical. There was a time during my high school career where I had a really bad attitude about school. I was super annoyed with assignments, classmates, and teachers. I didn’t realize at the time that I was choosing to see the worst in every situation, but I literally was, and you probably are too. If you really think about it, you wouldn’t see yourself as CHOOSING to hate school… but if you get real with yourself, you can recognize that it’s your own attitude that’s making high school agonizing. It’s kind of like changing a bad habit. Start paying attention to your attitude and learn to recognize when you begin to be negative. There is always something to be grateful for. Start using a journal to remind you of all to be ways you can be thankful.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
- Stop the Comparison
Girl, you are you for a reason. You were created the way you are on purpose! Comparing yourself to someone else is extremely toxic to your mental health. Social media is responsible for this in many ways. Stop looking at other girls on social media and thinking that their life is perfect. You do not know what goes on behind the scenes, trust me. No one’s life is perfect. Let’s go back and reflect on creating an attitude of gratitude. When you begin to be thankful for the life you’ve been given, you’ll be taking a huge step towards freeing yourself of comparison. The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.
“A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.” -Zen Shin
- Stop Obsessing With Having a Relationship
Okay, before you stop reading, I’m simply telling you this because I’m not much older than you and I know what you’re going through. Hear me out and know that if you are in a relationship, I’m not trying to make you break up. I just want you to be intentional with your time. I think dating is great, but it can be tough in many ways. So guard your heart and don’t allow boys to have a hold on your attention or your heart. Don’t get me wrong, boys are awesome and I’m thankful God has blessed the world with the male population, but high school boys do not know how to love you properly yet. You also don’t know how to love someone properly yet. I know, you might think I’m crazy, but I really do want to give your heart a brake because love isn’t what it seems like in the movies. You have your whole life ahead of you to find a relationship, don’t rush into it now while you’re still trying to figure out who you are. Use this time to enjoy your friends and laugh until your stomach hurts, because those are the memories you’ll look back on and not regret.
- Get Involved
Every school has different sports and clubs you can join. Get involved! There are so many memories to be made and important lessons to be learned! Being a part of sports and clubs is a great way to make friends and be surrounded by community. No matter if you are an introvert or extrovert, community is necessary for a better quality of life. Getting involved in sports can teach you discipline, as well as keep you mentally/physically healthy. Clubs are a great way to get involved in the things you are interested in. If you are nervous to get involved, I want to encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and do something you wouldn’t normally do. Go to events, games, and rallies. I know you will thank yourself for it later.
- Slow Down
Stop wishing your life away. I know you’re so ready to reach graduation and walk down those halls for the last time, but these are the years that are building you into who you are. Enjoy these moments and allow them to sink it. Appreciate the friends you have right now, because once you enter adulthood meeting regularly all the sudden seems so much harder to do. Appreciate your teachers because they are some of the most selfless human-beings who invest a lot of their time for your well-being. Appreciate all the things you are learning from assignments and tests because there are important lessons in everything. Just slow down and enjoy being young. Don’t rush, because soon enough, you’ll be out of school trying to figure it all out like the rest of us. Don’t miss the blessings that are right in front of you because you are so caught up on growing up too quickly.
High school is what you make it, make it worthwhile!
Keep Growing and Keep Living Free!
-Hannah C.
Live Free 
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