As a senior, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my experiences here at Ocean Springs High School. I have had the opportunity to think of all the things I am glad I have done while I have been here, and all the things I wish I had done. Now – for any freshmen, sophomores, or juniors – I am giving out what I like to call “The High School Bucket List.”
The first thing high school students MUST do before they graduate is to go all-out at least one day during Spirit Week. I finally did this year. On twin day, my friend Hannah Tyler and I dressed up like full-fledged Steve Urkel nerds. We had fun with it: suspenders, glasses, and even “AV Club” tags. People took pictures with us all day; it was like having our own mini-paparazzi. Now, I know most people think dressing up outrageously will embarrass them, but honestly, it is too much fun to pass up. Plus, it is a major confidence booster to dress up crazy and actually try to work the look. We have at least four years in high school, and five days in Spirit Week, giving us twenty opportunities to dress up outrageously and show off some Greyhound Spirit, so why not? Everyone should try it at least once, the memories will last a lifetime.
One of the major things that people should do is to go to the Homecoming dance or Prom, WITHOUT worrying about a date. People should try to go with a group of friends at least once, because it is a lot less stress and a lot more fun. Plus, everyone knows that the date only lasts one night, but friendships last a lifetime. So why not just go with friends? They are the ones that stick around longer.
This next piece of advice is for all of those out there who tend to take super hard classes their entire high school career or super easy ones. For those teens who are always taking AP and IB courses, try out a regular course at least once. It gives students a break and a chance to relax. It also gives them a bit of a reality check, because they get to mingle with students who are not just competing for the world’s highest GPA. For those who take all easy classes and always make straight A’s in them, try out an AP or IB course. It gives students a chance to do some higher level thinking and participate in discussions, not to mention, it helps students prepare for college. Students should have some sort of variety in their schedules because trying out new things is not necessarily a bad idea.
I asked a few people on Facebook what they wished they had done or wanted to have accomplished before they finish high school, and I received quite a few responses. Pushing all of the “I wish I had paid more attention…” clichés aside, and getting rid of all the ideas that probably would have gotten someone in major trouble, a few good ideas remained. Someone even gave me a list containing things like: chew a moment over with a Twix; wear a nametag with an impossible to pronounce made up name and sign all papers with the name, and then when the teacher gets confused handing them back act very offended; dress like a princess and demand to be escorted to each class by a man in a suit; and dress like a ninja and go around zipping and unzipping backpacks. The list contained about 64 different, hilarious things. However, I think the overall moral of everything people gave me to do sang one rule loud and clear: everyone needs to have fun in high school; maintain academics, but have fun as well. In the end, when we are old, retired, and complaining about those young high school kids who cannot seem to stay off our lawns, everyone should be able to look back on their high school years as a great time in their lives.