Looking in the mirror and into yourself from day to day you may not notice many different things, but, when you step back and look at everything around you, you wonder how and when everything changed. Transforming from a child to a teenager, a freshman to a senior and from a teenager to an adult all happens when no one is looking.

Being a freshman seems to be as bad as being a little sibling again. You think no one will take you seriously and that you’ll pretty much be the scapegoat for any and all problems.  Although it may seem like the end of the world, this is the perfect time to make mistakes, learn from them and move on with life. Being one of the easier, simpler years of high school, it’s an excellent time to spend time with new friends and have fun. Freshman in high school are eager to be accepted by peers and may have many friends, according to Understood.org. Most don’t realize that their friend groups will change along with everything else throughout their high school career. Senior Nathan Mills said, “I’m leaving high school with different people that I came into high school with.” No need to stress, though, because sophomore year is on its way.

Sophomore year runs almost parallel to freshman year. It’s almost easier because you have had a whole year to become acclimated to the routine of high school, the different friend groups, a variety of teachers and even yourself. Senior Katie Lohff said, “I know that in high school a lot of people struggle with ‘finding themselves’, but I think it’s about who you want to be, and figuring out how to get there.” Another big difference is the appearance of AP classes in one’s schedule. Being in the 10th grade and more comfortable in your own shoes you need to start challenging yourself. College is a key item and something you need to start thinking about. Driving swerves into the picture and before you know it you’re behind the wheel of your mom’s minivan . This exciting new chapter of your life opens up opportunities of freedom and responsibility, do not take it for granted. Don’t worry, the stress that comes with your sophomore year is nothing a 15 year old can’t handle. Junior year on the other hand, good luck.

Junior year has earned the reputation as the hardest year of high school. The rumors about that tend to be true. An overload of APs, the SATs and ACTs, colleges and for some people, a job, make the year a challenge. Clinging to your friends for support and help is one of the best decisions you could make. They’re going through just about everything you and are the perfect shoulder to lean on. Maintaining a social life while going through a stressful year can be an essential to one’s mental health.  “There is nothing more calming to your nervous system than communicating with another human being who makes you feel safe and understood,” according to Helpguide.com. Teenagers between the age of 16 and 18 will also begin to voice their opinions more and work to solve conflicts. The process of learning how to communicate, respectfully, with others and achieve a state of agreeance will excel the most during your junior year, as well as time management. Time management can make or break your high school career, and any other career after that. College freshman Haley Simonds said, “I’ve learned to be more independent and manage my time better.” Junior year is essential to your growth as a student. It does an exceptional job preparing you for your next obstacle: senior year.

By your senior year if you are still staying up all night studying for a simple math quiz, praying that you will get an A, you haven’t learned much. Not everything is about grades and getting the absolute highest scores on AP tests. Growing as a person is the most important thing that will happen during high school. Senior, Kendall Bear said, “I’ve learned what’s important and what really matters, like friends, family and setting goals.” Grades, wealth, hair style and overall appearance tend to be stressed more than they need to be, especially at a school like Severna Park. Looking back at your high school years you should be able to laugh and remember the people from your school, not the grade you got on you lesson 1.2 math test. All of your experiences from high school will not be perfect and happy, anyone can guarantee you that, but Senior, Malorie Johnson has some advice for when you get down on yourself; “you will fall and it might feel like the end, but then you realize it’s a trampoline and you keep your head up and bounce back up, better than ever. Always stay on the path that leads you to the best version of yourself, no matter what anyone else has to say about you or your actions.” Follow those rules and you’ll be just fine.