As I conclude my junior year and start making plans for after graduation, I have begun to really appreciate my younger years, and the people who were a part of them. I am by no means the most participatory kid, or the most popular, but without being as involved as I was when I was in junior high and my freshman year of high school, I would not have the friends I have, or the memories. High school is not, and shouldn’t be the best four years of your life, but you should enjoy them and you shouldn’t regret anything you do. Have fun and get involved.

    I know it is scary because well, if your friends don’t want to do volleyball and you do, or you aren’t sure you are very good at football but you want to try, it can be nerve racking that first day of practice. Here is something I have learned, and I wish I realized this sooner; the best thing you can do for yourself, is do something you are scared to do. The experiences I have learned the most from are the ones I did all by myself, for the first time. That is not to say that everything I tried I was good at. In fact, I once threw a baton across the room during an audition for majorettes, and then forgot the routine after I ran across the giant gym to grab it again. Needless to say, I did not make it that year. But I learned to laugh at myself, and I learned that marching band can be really really fun. I made some amazing friends that year.

Freshman year is an exciting time. You’re finally a high school student, and you can go to homecoming. Trust me on this, help your class with your float. My grade has never won, we are really bad artists, but I can’t tell you how many paint wars we have had, or how many pizzas we ate (a lot! And really, who doesn’t like pizza). Just trust me here, get involved in your class. It makes high school a lot more fun if you’re friends with everyone.

Lastly, go do stuff. I am not just talking about being in sports or being in clubs like Key Club or student council. I mean go to basketball games, go to football games, baseball, wrestling, volleyball, tennis, track, and any other sport. You won’t regret being a part of your student section at your varsity basketball’s playoff game or going and seeing your class put on a play. Maybe seeing it will inspire you to try out for the musical or a sport.

High school isn’t the best four years of your life, but it is four years of your life. Why not make the best of it? Go watch stuff, go be a part of the team or club you have been scared to try. Not only will you make friends, you’ll learn what you enjoy.  If you are still scared because of what people might say, do it. No one cares as much as you do about what you like to do. Seriously get involved, you won’t regret it. Take it from someone who knows, high school goes faster than you think.

Elise is a junior at Greenville High School, she enjoys reading, playing piano and acting in school productions. She has been a JRP Model Team member since 2014.