Thriving in High School
The idea that I would write an post on the subject of thriving in high school is laughable, but hey, maybe I'll get lucky and take my own advice. Maybe I can give some perspective on what not to do. Point #2. I attend a Christian high school and while I believe many of the struggles are similar in a Christian school, there are certainly major differences between private and public education. That being said, here goes nothing..
I often see articles or posts about "surviving high school". To give advice on that subject is much simpler. All you have to do is stay awake and give 59% effort. D- is passing after all. However, you'll find that surviving isn't always the best option. I've seen survivors who sure don't look the best, so in the words of an unspecified band (cough cough Switchfoot cough cough): "I want to thrive, not just survive".
Rule #1: God is not only your home base, but your rock, fortress and only constant. Everything, everything, is subject to change. Shows end. Bands break up. People change. Friends leave. God does not. Ever. A rule for not only high school, but life in general: Keep God first in anything and you'll never regret it. If you are depending on a friend and that friend is gone or worse, breaking up the friendship, your day will be horrendous. If you are depending on your family and come home and can't agree with them and simply argue all night, your day will be excruciating. However, if you are depending on God, you know that He will always be there and knows exactly what is best for you. Not to say you will have no bad days, that is unavoidable, but if God is your rock a bad day will be insignificant with eternity in mind.
Rule #2: Love people. ALL people. Yes, that "all" is in all caps and italics. That is the emphasis I intend. People are awesome on their best days and cruel, destructive, idiots on their worst. Without Christ you'll find those worst days are often, but that isn't the point. We are to love as Christ loves us. How do we compare to Christ? We don't. Yet He loves with all imaginable love everyday. How much more should this apply to us? We are as broken and destitute as the next guy, so why not love. Sub-rule #1. Love ALL people the same. Your best friend, your worst friend, your teacher, your annoying desk neighbor and that creepy guy in the corner (or dare I say: creepy girl?). The popular and unpopular, the rich and poor, the smart and the...not as smart, all of them are made in Christ's image and are quite possibly really interesting people. Or they might not. They might hate your guts. They might stare at you blankly or verbally attack you. Love them then too. It will get you far. Love in every situation, in the betrayal, the failure, the awkward, the beautiful, the unbelievable, the painful and the heartbreaking. Tall order. Try it. No one can live up to the standard, but it's what we're called to, so might as well give it a try.
Rule #3: Pay a little bit of attention and pray for alertness, The amount of good it does is really quite surprising. Really Rule #3 should just be "pray". Any problem can be sorted with prayer. Maybe not in the way intended by the prayer, but in the best way. God's plan is best.
I often see articles or posts about "surviving high school". To give advice on that subject is much simpler. All you have to do is stay awake and give 59% effort. D- is passing after all. However, you'll find that surviving isn't always the best option. I've seen survivors who sure don't look the best, so in the words of an unspecified band (cough cough Switchfoot cough cough): "I want to thrive, not just survive".
Rule #1: God is not only your home base, but your rock, fortress and only constant. Everything, everything, is subject to change. Shows end. Bands break up. People change. Friends leave. God does not. Ever. A rule for not only high school, but life in general: Keep God first in anything and you'll never regret it. If you are depending on a friend and that friend is gone or worse, breaking up the friendship, your day will be horrendous. If you are depending on your family and come home and can't agree with them and simply argue all night, your day will be excruciating. However, if you are depending on God, you know that He will always be there and knows exactly what is best for you. Not to say you will have no bad days, that is unavoidable, but if God is your rock a bad day will be insignificant with eternity in mind.
Rule #3: Pay a little bit of attention and pray for alertness, The amount of good it does is really quite surprising. Really Rule #3 should just be "pray". Any problem can be sorted with prayer. Maybe not in the way intended by the prayer, but in the best way. God's plan is best.
Luke MacDonald
Sophomore
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