This is the time of year where we all reflect back in some way on our time in high school.
Whether we were happy or not, whether we were popular or not, whether we were successful or not, we all have stories and remembrances of our time before we became adults and entered the world outside of high school.
The best lesson I ever took from high school is how to let go of all that.
I remember a few embarrassing things that happened: some things shaped who I am today while others are quirky face-palm moments that I would rather forget. But that experience was not the be all and end all of my life.
As we move forward in life, the terrible things that happened do not define who we are, and letting the terrible things go is very freeing.
We should not ever let high school be the best times of our lives. Time moves on, and if we keep growing, there will be better times ahead.
For some, after graduation there is university. For others, it is finding a great job. We find love and create families of our own, and much, much more is to come for us. Why should we put our high school years on a pedestal?
High school for some meant a time where they had to face bullying and teasing.
In my high school experience I was teased myself, and there is so much I want to say to young people who face bullying. The most important? Talk to someone.
It can make a profound difference to a young person to seek help and talk about how they have been impacted by another’s words or actions. More than a request for help, the act of seeking help itself can have positive impact on a young person’s mental health.
The saddest thing about bullying is that those subjected to it can feel diminished by it. This is not a truth, but it can feel that way to a vulnerable young person.
I know it feels terrible to be bullied, but our value is found in how we see ourselves.
I hate to say it, but bullies also exist outside of the four walls of high school, as well. Bullying exists everywhere. It is terrible and it needs to be stopped. But no bully dictates anyone’s personal worth.
A lot of people have the opportunity to leave their bullies behind as they leave high school but for those who cannot, hold the above words in your mind and seek help when needed.
On the flip side, be there for each other.
We do not always do that in high school. Sometimes fearing what our friends or peers would think holds us back from doing it.
Getting out into the world beyond high school, we should not let that stop us from offering a little bit of warmth to a cold world.
We need to help friends, family, even strangers whenever we can, because the world can be lonely and frightening.
To all students, be careful what you take with you from your high school life.
Make sure you take with you what makes you a better person and leave behind what does not.
