For me, life is largely about growth. Not physical growth (I am still under 5 feet and will probably never get there), but emotional and mental growth.

High school is… well, where do I even start? High school is a change. It is a process. It is about more than the academic content you learn on a daily basis, more than the homework you dread doing. Now, don’t get me wrong, that stuff is really important; but what I would argue to be even more important is the stuff you learn about yourself as you’re making your way through all that.

Everyone has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and I believe high school is a time when a lot of people begin to recognize those things in themselves. I am lucky enough that I have always had a pretty good sense of what my weaknesses are and what I could improve upon, whether it be personally, in my academics, or in my art.

Unfortunately, one of these weaknesses is that I’m not quite as good at recognizing or appreciating my strengths. This has presented an obstacle for me in that, although I am almost constantly determined to improve, I can’t seem to give myself a break. It takes a while for me to register that the hard work I put into something has actually paid off, and I’m not very good at taking compliments– I desperately need my own approval.

However, now that I am trying to hold on to the things I love about high school as much as I can before I throw my cap in the air, I have been forced to take a look back at my journey from the beginning of freshman year, when I was terrified of not making any friends, to now, when I am surrounded by a group of people whom it feels like I have known forever. I was a shy and anxious freshman, and now I am a fairly significantly less shy and anxious senior. That’s not pessimistic– it’s just reality.

Of course, I have probably improved more than I think I have, as per usual, but whatever the case may be, I am proud of myself.

I remember several times breaking pencils in frustration when I couldn’t understand my math homework after just the first try– now finally I, a straight-A-except-for-one-B student, have made it my goal to get at least a B in math this quarter. I have finally decided I am done stressing myself out, and that I will probably be more successful if I just relax.

The most important things I have learned over the course of my high school career are the following: 1. Overcoming the fear of failure is not easy, but it is necessary. 2. Most of the great things you get to do in your life will be the result of getting out of your comfort zone. 3. Don’t worry so much about what other people think about you (but believe them when they tell you how awesome you are). 4. I (and you) have the capability to do great things.