The things you don’t learn in high school

I walked into Colony High School three years ago on my first day of freshman year. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what I would have changed to make this last year easier.

First, I would take the PSAT as a sophomore as well as in my junior year. This practice test for the SAT has a scholarship program for all juniors who take it. To be one of these National Merit Scholars, however, you need to have very competitive scores. Therefore, taking the test before junior year can give a student insight into the types of questions on the exam and what material to study.

Another regret I have is not planning out my four-year schedule before freshman year. Some classes that are graduation requirements may take up valuable semester time for a student wishing to pursue other interests. Some classes may be appropriate for motivated students to complete through a correspondence program, which would in turn free up space for more elective courses. Also, having a four-year plan can ensure a student has all the required classes to graduate with a merit diploma. This honor requires a very specific course load, and students wishing to receive it need to be very careful when choosing their classes.

Possibly my biggest regret of all is one that pertains significantly to my senior year. I cannot believe I didn’t start my college applications over the summer!

All through August it seemed like I had months and months to write my essays and gather my letters of recommendation. Now that deadlines are approaching, every weekend I spend on applications is a reminder how I could have done the vast majority of this work over the summer. Senior year has enough stress on its own as standardized tests are retaken and plans made for graduation. It certainly is not the time I want to be spending writing application essays.

While there are some things I’d revise in my high school experience, there are also a lot of things I wouldn’t change for the world. Taking a rigorous course load has made those tedious college applications stronger, and my extracurricular activities and community service have certainly helped as well.

If there were one piece of advice I’d want to give to incoming freshmen it wouldn’t be to take the PSAT twice or finish college applications early. I would tell them the most important thing about high school is to make it your own. The activities you choose and the classes you take determine your high school experience. Work diligently and prepare for college, but most of all make high school an experience you’ll enjoy.

Lexie Krell is a senior at Colony High School in Palmer.