As I embark on the bittersweet journey that is my final semester of high school, I wanna take a moment to reflect on first semester. 

…It was tough. Plain and simple. SSLP, college applications, REGULAR SCHOOL, and then combine all that with any personal issues that people are dealing with and you’ve got a pretty crazy combination. That isn’t to say that first semester sucked. On the contrary, I got to meet a lot of new people and grow closer to people that I hadn’t really had a chance to get to know during the first three years of high school. At the same time, it can be hard to maintain friendships that you already have as you’re weighed down by all the stress and PRESSURE from… well, everything!

Even through all the insecurities that flared up, I can still say that this has been one of the best semesters I’ve ever had. I was fairly strong academically, my parents were more lax socially, and I was able to walk more confidently which, to be honest, is what I’m most proud of!

If there’s any advice that I could offer, it would be this:

• NEVER take people for granted. Yes, this sounds trite, but it’s one of the most valuable lessons that people fail to learn. You only realize how much you need someone when he/she isn’t in your life.
• Keep yourself healthy. That means eating well and sleeping regularly. Your body will thank you, and you’ll just feel better in general. 
• Make yourself a calendar, whether it be in your planner or something separate. There are so many due dates/deadlines/important things to remember that you WILL end up losing track at some point, and you’ll end up beating yourself up about it. 
• Don’t forget to focus on YOU. Mental health days are acceptable as are occasional “fuck everything, I need some chocolate/burritos/friends/all of the above, and I need to do some ugly crying to cleanse myself” moments. 

Of course, second semester isn’t all fun and games. I know that. I know there will still be a lot of work, and I’ve still got to do SSLP, but I’m a little more relieved, and I’m really stoked to see what adventures are in store! Oh, and there’s that little thing of finding out what college I’ll be going to for the next four years. All in all, 2012 is starting off great, and I’m gonna make the most of second semester!