All right, this is a message to all you high school seniors out there. Listen up!
It has already been established that high school is hard, we won't go into that too much -- just know that we all get it. But just because it is hard does not mean that life must be full of miserable woe.
Instead, let's be happy! Read on for your 101 on surviving the senior year with your sanity, your health and most importantly, your smile intact.
No. 1: Keep a positive attitude. The saying "fake it till ya make it" rings true -- in almost every situation. Keep that grin plastered on your face until it melts into a beautiful genuine smile. If you do so, I promise that Eeyore mood you have going on will evolve into some sort of happiness. Things really do seem much better when you think positively.
So you're having a bad day? Try thinking about someone close to you; chances are they might be having a down day as well. When you focus on others, your problems seem to fade in the background. By helping others cheer up, it's a pretty high guarantee you'll lighten up as well.
No. 2: Don't forget to take a little time for yourself. So you have a five-page paper due tomorrow (which you have conveniently forgotten or put off until the night before), the math assignment is half finished, you still need to read three chapters from the English book, oh, and you have chores, family obligations, friends, Facebook and food to attend to! And who cares about sleep right?
Stop! This is when it is essential to pause, close your eyes, inhale deeply, imagine your happy place ... and release. Allow yourself a break; trust me, you've earned it. Try taking a walk around the block, or jumping up and listening to some music for a few minutes. Doing something completely not related to school, work or responsibility, if only for a few minutes, will help you focus, concentrate and relax.
No. 3: Give yourself some credit. I believe that while we seniors are busy saving the world with our awesomeness, conquering all AP classes, overwhelming the community with our service and, of course, killing those around us with kindness, we forget just that -- how much we are doing. Sometimes we must remind ourselves how much we do as students, sons, daughters, friends and mentors on a daily basis. When you start to feel down on yourself and discouraged, give yourself a mental reminder: "Hey you, you're already doing great. Just keep it up!"
No. 4: Be kind to others. You might have only gotten three hours of sleep the night before; you're disgruntled, tired and cranky. It is easy to be irritable and tired of others, but this is when you must open your eyes and realize that other folks might be in the same position too.
This goes for friends but also for teachers as well. Whatever work you have, remember they get to grade it. Teachers have just as much, if not more, work than students. Let's all give each other a bit of a break.
Senior year is meant to be fun and most of the time it is! But there are those occasions when you are stressed beyond belief. Just close your eyes take a deep breath and remember -- life goes on.
Lynette Randall is a senior at Clearfield High School. She loves river rafting, rock climbing, wave running and reading. Email her at climber174@yahoo.com.
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