Madelyn Furstenau ‘26, Editor-in-Chief
Based on the choices you make, high school can easily be the best or worst four years of your life. If you neglect your schoolwork, avoid extracurricular activities, isolate yourself from friends, and rarely attend social events, high school will likely be a miserable experience. However, it does not have to be. South Lyon High School students have experienced the ups and downs of high school, and they want to share their advice on how to have the best high school years possible:
Prioritize academics
One of the most important things to focus on in high school is academics. These are the final and most crucial years preparing you for college, so this is the time to start pushing yourself academically rather than relying on your parents to keep you motivated. Take classes that you genuinely believe will set you up for success and challenge yourself; do not take blow-off classes just to get through an easier school day. A top regret among many seniors is blowing off academics as an underclassman—especially during freshman year—as they now struggle to get accepted into colleges or are ineligible for many beneficial scholarships. Push yourself, strive to do your very best in every class, and do not get frustrated when you struggle. NHS offers free tutoring to students who need it, and advisory hour allots time to get extra help from teachers—there is no need to struggle in silence. High school is not easy, but challenges are not always a negative thing. Learning how to navigate hardships now will help you when troubles arise later down the road, especially as you transition into adulthood. Do not take your freshman and sophomore classes lightly—your academics matter all four years, not just when junior year hits. Focus on your classes now, and your future self will thank you.
Get involved
We all know that long school days can get pretty bleak, especially when the cold weather hits, and the weeks feel more boring than ever. One of the best ways to brighten up your days at SLHS is by getting involved in some way. Whether it be sports, clubs, theatre, or band, there are so many ways to build up your extracurriculars. High school is so much more fulfilling when you are part of something more than just academics, allowing you to form new connections with other students. If there are no clubs that suit your interests, grab a few friends and start one. Many seniors have created new clubs during their time at SLHS, and it is always encouraged. Senior Mackenzie Ziegler co-founded the Creative Writing Club during her freshman year, and in doing so, has left her mark on SLHS: “This club meant making a place for me to pursue my interests as a writer alongside my peers who shared that common interest. If you want to start a club at SL, I’d say go for it. I’ve had four years of making new friends and doing what I love because of it.”
Step out of your comfort zone
This one is much easier said than done. Entering high school can feel like a whole new world, especially if you do not have many classes with friends. Everyone’s been through those tough, isolated classes, and truthfully, it is so much harder not to make friends in high school than you may think. Chances are, you will graduate high school with an entirely different group of friends than you entered with, and that is perfectly fine. If you find yourself in a class with people you do not know, try not to shy away from new connections. Sometimes, the best way to push through these isolating moments is to start a conversation. We all know that six classes are much easier to get through with friends, so take that extra step to meet new people. Senior Cooper Reed said, “High school has opened up so many opportunities for me to meet new people. The best advice I can give is to step out of your comfort zone. I’ve made so many new friends by going into everything with an open mind, and I don’t know how high school would have been without those people.”
Discover yourself
These are extremely developmental years. High school is the perfect time to discover your passions and start planning your future. If you are struggling to find a career path, start looking for opportunities to get experience. Talk to your teachers or counselors if you need guidance, and chances are, they will introduce you to different pathways you were previously unaware of. If you want to go into a specific career field, you can shadow different positions to get a more specific feel for what you are interested in. OSTC, Dual Enrollment, and internship programs provide the tools and space to explore different careers. Take classes that genuinely interest you, and see if an unexpected interest sparks. Another crucial piece of advice is to avoid friendships with people who do not allow you to be at your best. Surround yourself with individuals who encourage you and want to see you succeed. Have the mindset that you want to leave with a better reputation than you came with, and strive to be the best version of yourself. Although a sappy sentiment, it will help you in the long run.
High school is truly what you make of it—if you do not put anything into it, you will get very little out of your time here. However, many students have learned that high school can be a very fruitful experience if you truly apply yourself. Decide what your goals are for not just the present, but also after high school, and let those guide you through the decisions you make while you are here. Listen to those who have seen it all, and enjoy your time at SLHS.
Lyon Life 