The high school years are a gift given to teenagers as a means to prepare them for the next stage in life, whether it’s going on to college or otherwise starting out in the “real world”.
From what I have gathered, (and mind you, I took the DSST test “Foundations of Education”, so I should be correct) the concept of “high school” didn’t come around until the late 1800s. Before that, teens were sent straight on to college or an apprenticeship after just a few years of schooling!
Note: I have been guilty of answering “yes” to each of these questions!
1. Do you like to make it seem like you are doing more than you actually are?
I admit this has been a struggle for me. Even though I can make it look like I’m doing more than practically every teenager out there, compared to what I could be doing, it’s embarrassing to admit how little I accomplish sometimes.
Do we like to complain “I’m just so busy with school!”, when in reality, we’re just getting the minimum amount of work done?
CHALLENGE: Let’s commit to not just talk big, but back up our words with action to make the most out of our high school years!
2. Do you often compare yourself to public schoolers (or, if you are public schooled, do you compare yourself to the ‘average’ student?)
Do you think that just because you are putting in as much work as the average student, that you will be just fine?
CHALLENGE: Let’s determine to be above average–not just so that we can have something to boast about, but to show that we are honoring God by using our brains and skills to the utmost capacity!
3. Do you feel like you’re doing all that you can do to best prepare yourself for the next steps in life?
This is a difficult point to discuss, as I often find it hard to go the extra mile to get myself ready for the future.
Our futures are one of our biggest investments in life! If we don’t invest time, effort and diligence into preparing for the future, we will look back with regret on time wasted on silly pursuits and laziness.
CHALLENGE: What can we do today that will better us physically, emotionally or spiritually for the next phase of our lives?
Other tips for using your high school years wisely:
– Set goals. Don’t allow your ideas or tasks to slip by. Take the time to write them down and then get started on accomplishing those goals!
– Set a high standard for how much you should actually accomplish each day. Then, share this goal with your parents so they can keep you accountable.
So, unless I’m the only one who struggles with these things (oh golly, maybe I am the only one?! *gasps*), let’s resolve to do our best to make the most out of these awesome high school years!
