Here at Paint Branch High School it is not too difficult to make it. With the proper tools and common knowledge, anyone can fulfill the duty that is high school and be satisfied with their experience. 

            These are some steps you can take. For one, think. Think before you make any decisions; everything you do in high school has a consequence. THIS IS NOT MIDDLE SCHOOL. Throughout middle school, your teachers told you, “This is the real world--you have to work hard because this is just the beginning,” and they were right.  You are entering your last four years of school, so do it right. Yes, this year may be stressful, but you have to learn to deal with your issues. Troubles with your boyfriend or girlfriend have to stay far away from school because these four years shape who you will be and what will become of you.

            Second, this is not a time for partying. Yes, there will be parties you will go to, but you have to remember that those problems, boyfriend troubles, that you may be dealing with are not school. Having fun is essential to the experience of high school, and I am in no way suggesting for anyone to abandon their friends and befriend their books, but it is essential to focus on your schoolwork. It may seem as though it is only your first year of high school and that you don’t have anything to worry about for at least two years, but that is garbage! People don’t change much throughout high school, and study habits are learned behavior. Everyone knows that, if you start school with a certain mentality, you’re sure to end with the same one. In other words, if you start off the school year taking easy classes or just don’t really care about school, think twice because what makes you think you’re senior year will be any different?

            Third, high school goes by quickly, so take advantage of that. Challenge yourself, because where else do you have the opportunity to learn about practically any subject for free? In high school, you learn the criticals: who you are, what you like, and the kind of people you want to be around. Who will be there for you as opposed to who will envy you and as a result hurt you rather than support you.

            Fourth, don’t get into trouble and respect your teachers THIS WILL BENEFIT YOU; being able to get along with people is critical to making it. Being rude and disrespectful doesn’t make anyone seem smarter; it makes people seem ignorant. If you plan to go to college eventually, you will have to ask for recommendations from your teachers, which may be difficult if you never got along with any of them.