BLOGPOST: 8 Things I Wish I Knew as a High School Freshman

I graduated high school just a few weeks ago, and have recently been reflecting on my experience. High school is a transformative period, and these four short years have shaped me more than I can comprehend. I will be starting college this fall and still have many lessons to learn and adventures to embark on, but I feel compelled to share a little bit of the insight I’ve gained in high school, because I remember being a freshman not that long ago. I scoured Seventeen magazine and implored my older sister for advice, but there were still quite a few things I wasn’t prepared for when I started high school. Here are 8 things I wish I knew as a high school freshman.

1.) Stay focused on learning and furthering your education, but remember that grades aren’t everything. Don’t let your GPA or SAT score determine your worth as a student. Try your best in class, but let your mind wander outside the curriculum. Read books that your teacher didn’t assign. Think outside the box.

2.) Don’t wait to pursue your passions and dreams. At this very moment, the world is turning and people are living and you can’t “wait for life to happen” because it’s already happening all around you. You can start putting your ideas into action right now. I ran a nonprofit charity, served on youth councils for international organizations, and worked on a radio show – all while in high school. But I still remember being 14-years-old and feeling frustrated with the immobility of my life. As a teenager, you’re constantly patronized and condescended by adults who have little faith in you. Find mentors who encourage you and believe in you. Being young and naïve and full of wonder is such a beautiful thing; don’t allow others to tell you your dreams aren’t valid.

Continue reading: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katelyn-darroweystad/8-things-i-wish-i-knew-as_b_7829766.html