Five things I would tell a younger me when it comes to studying at high school
Sometimes when we are going through something (like high school) we have our faces pressed so hard to the glass it can be hard to see the bigger picture. Sometimes it is important to step back and take a moment to reflect. Here are 5 things I would tell a younger me. Plus one bonus tip.
1. Lots of people find the study and work hard.
During high school, I felt like everyone around me had a great system to keep up with their work and understood the content much better than I did. After high school, I realised that many people found studying and content difficult and that we were all trying to find a way to navigate a balance of studies with the normal stressors of life. Knowing that I was not alone allowed me to slowly find more confidence in myself a find a study system that worked for me.
2. Pacing yourself is important.
It can be hard to find a good balance between studying hard and overdoing it. But balance is key. The more we can find balance with our schoolwork, extra-curricular activities and social lives the more enjoyable the work can become because it doesn’t feel like every second of the day is spent on one thing. This balance can also help provide us with the stamina we need to get through all the work required, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
3. There is more than one way to achieve your goals.
Often in high school, it feels like our final exams are the most important things in the world. And while they are important, if something goes wrong, there are often other ways and pathways we can take to achieve our goals. Always try your hardest, but it is not the end of the world (or your career aspirations) if you need to use another avenue.
4. Studying something you enjoy is a lot easier than studying something you don’t.
Picking your subjects is important and often impacts the future you wish to seek after high school. The more you choose topics that interest you, the more likely you are to engage and enjoy the content. This will make it easier to learn more effectively, and you will enjoy the study required for them.
5. Study with friends.
If you can, study with your friends. It is amazing how much a different perspective can help when you are stuck on a difficult question and can’t find a solution. Studying with friends can provide a less stressful and more supportive environment that allows you to enjoy the process more than if you were alone.
Bonus tip
High school is hard and you dont have to do it alone.
When I was in high school I had it in my head that asking for or needing more help to understand the content meant I had failed in some way. So, I stubbornly tried to do everything by myself which caused a lot of grief. I struggled for long hours over questions that could have been answered in minutes by teachers or tutors. I sat confused and angry at myself when I didn’t understand something, which was bad for my grades and my mental health. So, I would tell a younger me, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help.
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