High school is more than a place to learn general knowledge and carve a path into college. Through our four years at Lambert, we’ve learned from teachers, peers and others not just how to navigate academic life but also how to become a better person. As we graduate, we’d like to share the knowledge we’ve learned through our experiences and mistakes to help students succeed.
Stop trying to act so unbothered
Too many incoming students feel the need to act ‘too cool for school’— we’ve been there. Acting like you don’t care doesn’t make you special but rather forces you to blend in, disappearing among the crowd without anything to set you apart. It’s ok to show off opinions and interests. Everyone has their own special interest, and nobody can be a perfect person. It’s not worth trying to be someone you’re not.
Homogeny isn’t going to help you. Your authentic self is better than anything you can fake. To be ‘nonchalant’ isn’t effective at conveying who you really are.
It’s not always about you
We’ve seen time and time again underclassmen who don’t cooperate well with their peers, choosing to be selfish and prioritize their individual interests rather than work together to create something greater. Whether it be in clubs, college or the workforce, being able to connect and collaborate with others is a critical skill all high school students should master to succeed in any aspect of life.
Be okay with being outside your comfort zone and take real consideration for others. The more you realize that you will need the help of others, the better you’ll be able to build yourself and others up. It’s not worth it to be standoffish and act like anyone or anything is beneath you—in the end, we’re all on this journey together.
For those who strive to be leaders, the focus shouldn’t be on you. It doesn’t matter who earned the title—the goal should always be to help others become better. After all, leadership is about empowering others to become the best version of themselves—not the best version of you. The gift of responsibility is something that should be treated with respect.
Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself
Sometimes, we make mistakes. It’s usually an accident, but it happens. In years past, we’ve forgotten assignments, bombed quizzes and been unfashionably late to appointments. It’s not the end of the world as long as you grow from your shortcomings. Maybe it’s punctuality, procrastination or poor planning—whatever it is, reflect and make a conscious effort to be a better you. The way to move forward sometimes is to just step back, laugh, learn your lesson and move on.
Furthermore, don’t be afraid to take chances outside of school. Too many of us suffer from analysis paralysis, where we have grand visions and dreams in our head but never actually take action on them. As a high school student, you have almost nothing to lose; whether it be walking up and talking to a stranger, starting a passion project or asking out that crush in English class, don’t be scared to take a shot even if the result isn’t guaranteed. You’ll never know if it goes in unless you try.
The point is, don’t take what happens in high school too seriously and have a sense of humor. Now is the time to make mistakes, but most importantly to learn from them.
Our four years at Lambert have taught us a lot about developing into our best version of ourselves. We’re grateful for all we’ve learned and for all the people who’ve taught us, and we hope you’ll be able to do the same four years from now.
