As freshmen step foot into high school, they are told that they will attain everything needed to prepare them for adulthood. A deep rooted belief that if they do everything right, they will “succeed” in the future. Students spend four years building their high school resumes. This constant endeavor towards their futures as adults feels endless. But are students exchanging too much of their present for an imaginary future?
Community graduate Lila Ryan reflects on what she would have done differently during her high school years. And no, it wasn’t more college prep. Instead, Ryan would have embraced the high school moments.
“I really think utilizing what Community has is so important,” Ryan said. “You are not going to have anything like this again.” Ryan stresses the importance of taking advantage of the unique opportunities available to students at Community. She wishes she would have taken a CR or experienced classes that she was passionate about instead of focusing on creating the perfect GPA or taking APs.
This is not an uncommon experience. Studies by the British Psychological Society show that humans avoid most opportunities, even ones that cost people virtually nothing. Ryan finds herself regretful for not opening up to more of those chances, like CRs. Chances that could have led to unexpectedly pleasant outcomes.
An example of this took place at Community with Ryan. After much preparation, she had a big project for social studies all ready to present. However, she had not prepared to speak in front of the whole class. Her group partner, scheduled to share the project that day, didn’t show. Her stomach dropped. She dreaded the idea of getting up there in front of all her peers, but reluctantly, after encouragement from her teacher, Ryan presented her project. Alone.
Ryan was surprised to come out of that class inspired and with a fresh idea in mind. She wanted to teach. She enjoyed speaking about things she cared about and sharing it with others. The only way Ryan could have discovered this was by just trying it. Taking those opportunities and being willing to learn and change taught her something so important. She didn’t need to plan for this, and by just experiencing the moment, she illuminated a beautiful career path for herself.
Ryan encourages students to fully embrace what makes Community High School special, urging them to explore all the possibilities and directions available to them. One of the best ways to learn about life is simply by trying things out—there’s no way to be completely prepared for what comes next. High school is about discovering yourself and figuring out your path, but Ryan thinks that students should give themselves permission to just engage with life. Taking interesting classes, creating that CR, because this is their moment. She urges students to worry less about what they’re “supposed” to do and to open themselves up to new opportunities—who knows, it might lead to something even greater.
