By Travis Wu
It’s hard to wrap my head around how quickly these past four years have gone by. One minute, I was a lost freshman trying to find my way around the halls — now, I’m crafting my applications in preparation for college and staring down the finish line of my high school career.
As I prepare to close this chapter of my life, I wanted to share some valuable advice that I wish someone else would’ve told me when I was going through high school. I truly believe that these words can make a difference, and I hope you’ll consider them as you navigate your own four-year high school journey.
1. Time is your most valuable asset
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s this: time slips away faster than we realize. Remember the magic of Halloween and the cozy warmth of Christmas mornings? The way you’d lose yourself watching cartoons for hours on end without any care in the world? That innocence, that freedom — it’s part of a childhood that we’re already leaving behind. We didn’t even notice when it ended, did we? Suddenly, we’re not kids anymore. We’re teenagers, on the brink of something new, caught between who we were and who we are becoming.
I wish I hadn’t taken time for granted. It’s something you don’t realize until you look back and wonder where it all went. Do you remember when COVID-19 happened? That was almost five years ago. Five short years. The seventh-grader sitting on the floor attending virtual courses is now standing at the edge of high school graduation.
So, here’s my advice — one that might sound cliché but is more important than ever: don’t let life pass you by. Don’t wait for opportunities to come at you. Laugh with your friends, celebrate every moment, hang up those Christmas lights like you mean it and spread kindness in your community. Life is too short to let the pressure of grades and headlines steal your joy of living out life. Take a deep breath, live fully and savor the moments that make your heart race —because, in the end, the lifetime experiences are the ones you’ll cherish.
2. More than just grades
It’s so easy to get caught up in the relentless chase for perfect grades — believe me, I’ve been there. For most of high school, I convinced myself that I needed to get straight A’s and that anything less than an A would ruin my future. But the truth is, that pressure is a lie we tell ourselves. One bad grade or one misstep doesn’t define your future, and it certainly doesn’t define you. We’re human. We make mistakes. That’s how we grow.
On the first AP Human Geography test, I didn’t perform at the level I wanted to and the teacher, Julie Chaicharee, told me something very valuable about grades. She said that grades are just a number on paper and that you shouldn’t worry about it. I thought about this a bit more and it changed my perception of grades. It doesn’t capture your potential, your work ethic or your ability to rise after you stumble. Letting grades determine your self-worth is like allowing a signal page to define an entire book. It chips away at your confidence, and it reduces learning to something far less meaningful than it should be.
Instead of obsessing over that letter on your report card, focus on what really matters: understanding the material, asking questions and enjoying the process of learning. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from challenging yourself. You can’t fail if you don’t try, so failure means you’re on the right track.
Remember, your worth is far beyond a GPA or a test score. It’s in how you treat others, the passion you bring to your interests, and the resilience you show when things get tough. So, try your best, but don’t let the pressure consume you. Life is about more than grades, and so are you.
3. Stay healthy
Your health should always be your top priority, no matter how busy life gets. It’s easy to sacrifice sleep to get more done, but that’s a dangerous trap. You might be thinking that staying up late will give you more time to finish assignments or study for tests, but in reality, you’re trading quality for quantity. You’ll be less focused in class and also be less productive because your brain wants to rest. That’s why sleep is vital to success.
Staying active is just as important. Whether it’s a sport, going for a walk or hitting the gym, keeping your body moving will keep you strong and energized. Once in a while, get out of your seat and stretch. One thing I do that I think is very helpful is keeping up a good cycle of playing soccer and badminton inside my house after completing an assignment. Studies show that exercising can boost your memory and your thinking skills, according to the Harvard Health Publishings on the mind and mood. Make sure you take care of your body though because damage to the body can be irreversible.
And, don’t forget to fuel your body with the right nutrition each day. Make sure to have a good habit of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t eat out too much as the overhaul of sweetness or oils can damage your health permanently.
Although you don’t notice it now, lacking any of these categories can have a really large long-term impact on your health. It may take years or decades before any major symptoms may show up; however, it’s better to not take the risk and give your future self some well-deserved assistance. Your well-being is the foundation for everything else, so make it count.
4. Pursue what makes you happy
Don’t fall into the trap of doing things “just for college”. It’s tempting to think that joining a club or taking on an activity will boost your resume, but if your heart isn’t in it, what’s the point? Think about your future career. Are you going to live life out by pursuing a career you’re not interested in? Is there a meaning in pursuing these careers just for the sake of saying you’re part of it? Looking from a high school perspective, college admissions officers aren’t looking for a checklist — they’re really looking for students who are passionate about the subject.
Instead, focus on what genuinely excites you. Whether it’s an academic club, a sport, or a creative pursuit, follow your interests. When you invest in something you care about, it stops feeling like busy work and instead becomes part of something that you’re looking forward to doing. And that’s what will matter most — not just to colleges, but to you in the long run. College is not all that matters. There’s countless people who didn’t go to a top-tier college and are living their dream lives.
School isn’t just about getting into college; it’s about preparing you for life, for a future where your career aligns with your passions. That’s why there’s such a wide array of courses to select and different electives for students to pursue.
The common question that comes up a lot is “What if I don’t know what I’m passionate about yet?”. Well, that’s the joy of trying out new activities and seeing which ones work and don’t work for you. That’s the beauty of life. Life is too short to spend time doing things you don’t enjoy.
5. Don’t let the “AP” title scare you away
Don’t shy away from advanced-level courses just because they’re labeled “AP”. While the title might sound intimidating at first, taking these classes is about more than just boosting your college applications. Starting off high school, I was also intimidated by the “AP” title.
However, after three years and taking a good amount of available AP courses offered at FVHS, the courses are not as bad as they seem. I actually believe it’s more beneficial to take AP and honors courses because you get the chance to connect with classmates who are just as driven and curious as you are. Building these connections can be just as valuable as the content you learn, both in school and beyond.
Think about your time in college. What are you really looking to do? Are you looking to learn the course content in college, for the experience or for a job? Well, most likely you chose to pay the hefty tuition costs in order to have a better chance at looking for a job. Connections with peers and professors allow you to seek out these jobs, and it’s one of the main focuses when you’re in college.
Other than the connections, you might be surprised to find that some AP courses are actually more manageable than regular classes. Of course, this is subjective and it can be different from person to person; however, objectively, it doesn’t matter about the “AP” title and more about the teacher. AP courses are usually better structured and offer more support as compared to regular-level courses so the material is oftentimes easier to grasp.
This is because AP courses typically have more online resources available for students and also the course follows a strict curriculum set by the College Board so that students are able to be well-off for the May exam. Don’t let fear hold you back from challenging yourself — these opportunities will help you grow academically and personally. Please don’t overwork yourself though!
6. Be confident in your own voice
Stop worrying about what others think of you — it’s a weight that holds you back more than you realize. Proudly raise your hand in class, even if you’re unsure of the answer. It’s not about being right or wrong, it’s about having the courage to participate and to take a step forward. Confidence isn’t built by staying quiet, it’s built by being willing to try, no matter the outcome. And never let the fear of judgment stop you from being yourself.
Whether it’s trying something new or sharing an idea, don’t hold back because you’re worried someone might make fun of you. Personally, I’ve had this thought when joining the varsity League of Legends Esports team. I knew that others — including my friends — would make a joke out of it; however, I looked past that and joined the team anyway. Sometimes, I even joke about it too.
On the flip side, don’t let others pressure you into doing something that doesn’t feel right. Peer pressure is very powerful and it causes many students to turn towards doing malicious things. Before doing something, always think about “Is this the right thing to do?” and “Is this what I want to do?”. Your comfort should always come first and just ignore the people who keep on pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do.
Here’s a secret: people don’t notice your mistakes nearly as much as you think they do. It’s something I learned from AP Psychology in Gina Carbone’s class called the spotlight effect where people believe they are being noticed more than they really are. In reality, most people are too caught up in their own lives to notice. So don’t be too hard on yourself when you make a mistake.
Embrace your imperfections, take chances and let go of the fear of judgment.
This year, I’ve made it a personal goal to step out of my comfort zone. For the past three years, I’ve been the quiet one — the student who faded into the background of the classroom. Most teachers in my underclassman years remember who I was because I would never participate in class. I let fear of others’ judgments and self-doubt keep me away from being more social.
This year, I want to enjoy every moment, make real connections and live the rest of high school fully. Currently, it’s worked really well, and I’m feeling a lot better about myself as compared to previous years!
7. Don’t let comparison ruin you
Comparison is one of the easiest misdirections to fall into as young students. Whether it’s grades, friendships or even appearance, it’s tempting to look at others and feel like you’re not good enough. But constantly comparing yourself to others only drains your confidence and adds unnecessary pressure.
As college applications come up, I find many students, including myself, comparing themselves to other people’s applications. This mindset causes many students who are good applicants to think poorly of themselves.
The thing is, we’re all on different paths. Someone else’s success doesn’t take away from your own potential. It’s easy to forget about this when you’re scrolling through social media or hearing about someone else’s achievements because, as humans, we naturally compare ourselves to others. However, here’s the key point. The more you focus on others the less you focus on your own accomplishments. So, take some time to pat yourself on the back and be proud of your own achievements.
One final thing. If you ever feel anxious about an exam or presentation, just remember that in a few years, these moments will be memories you wish you could revisit. Think back to that middle school presentation you once dreaded. It seemed huge at the time, but now it feels so small, doesn’t it? The same will happen with your high school worries. Time moves on, and soon you and everyone around you will make way for the next generation. Those bad grades or awkward stumbles won’t matter. Cherish the present, imperfections and all, because someday you’ll miss it.
I’m certain that if you consider taking any of these tips into account, it’ll make a difference in your life during high school and beyond. As you move forward, remember that high school is just one chapter in a much larger story — your story. So take the risks, cherish the people around you, have fun and most importantly stay true to yourself. You’ve got a bright future ahead — don’t lose sight of it.
