How to Survive High School
Written by: Amanda Yan
When I was in elementary school, I wished to be as hip as my older brother, who was already attending middle school. But once I attained middle school and saw my brother working late into the night to finish his homework, I no longer looked forward to high school. I always thought high school was too difficult and I would not survived.
However, when I entered as a freshman in CCA, I quickly realized if I did a few things right, high school experience could be some of my great experience. To survive CCA, it is important to have good time management skills, try new things, and maintain a balance between work and fun.
First, good time management is important. At CCA, homework was assigned almost every day, sometimes even on weekends, and there were exams almost every week because of the 4X4 schedule. The classes moved very quickly. I remember learning one unit per week, so it is important not to procrastinate. Although homework was usually due at midnight, you need to start working on it soon after it is assigned. Try to break it into manageable portions so you don’t feel exhausted.
Second, don't shy away from trying out things. As a freshman, I was afraid to move out of my shell and, as such, lost the chance to connect with fellow students. But CCA has so many clubs to experiment with that one is guaranteed to find his or her niche. If you cannot find the club that you like, you can create your own club. Creating your own club can give you a chance of taking leadership role. Besides clubs, sports are another great way to meet friends. When I joined girls’ basketball team, I met a lot of new friends who helped me go through my high school. Being involved in clubs and sports helps me survive the challenges of CCA.
Third, please remember to maintain a balance between work and fun. AP courses are heavily loaded, and sometimes just one class can require at least an hour and a half of homework. If you only focus on APs, you may quickly feel stressed and overwhelmed. Make sure you do not take all AP courses; instead, try to balance them with fun classes like art, music, or film. Taking these classes not only gives you a break from constant studying but also allows you to be creative and enjoy yourself. Having a healthy balance between academics and fun helps prevent burnout and keeps you motivated to push through the challenges of CCA.
High school is four years of your life, and although that may seem like a long time, I can promise you it won't feel like it. So, cherish every moment and explore more choices.
