By Danielle Nelson
Now that I have graduated high school and am off to college, I want to share things I learned that will help you be more successful in the future.
- Stress is manageable. There are some do’s and don’ts of handling stress, like you should never freak out or procrastinate because that doesn’t help anyone, and it makes everything worse. For example, your homework might feel overwhelming and TV might be more fun, but I know if you take the time and ask for help you can get it done. And let’s face it, everything you watch is on-demand; you can stream it later.
So, when things get stressful, what I want you to do is stay calm and collect your thoughts so you can make logical decisions without your emotions clouding your judgment. Then you will make good decisions.
- Be present in everyday life. It can be tempting to immerse ourselves in a sport, a job or our books, and forget to forge meaningful relationships. Don’t take anything for granted in high school. I don’t want you guys to be so focused about school that you miss out on all the fun that comes with life, especially high school. I want you to enjoy the people around you and your surroundings. Live in the moment.
- DON’T DO DRUGS OR DRINK ALCOHOL! You can get through high school without any of the bad stuff. Marijuana stinks, and alcohol will eventually kill you. I know you might be influenced to do it with your friends in the moment, but just think of how you would feel if your future kids were doing this behind your back. Just resist the urge, and your body will thank you when you’re older.
- Communicate with your parents. Finally, our parents. I know, this is a big one. I want you to open up to them. I know it’s not easy, but give them a chance. They have a lot on their plate. And be honest, if you make it easier on them, they will be easier on you. They want what is best for us. I don’t want you to yell at them or snap on them, even if you do think they deserve it. They have done so much for us, the least we can do is to be open and honest with them.
It turns out a lot of what they say is true.
Daniele Nelson is a recent high school graduate from Maricopa. She attended a school in Phoenix. Her siblings attend Maricopa Wells and Maricopa High School. They are all involved with Be Awesome Youth Coalition Leadership.
This column appears in the October issue of InMaricopa.
