Currently Listening The Wide World Over: A 40 Year Celebration By The Chieftains, Chieftains Here's A Health To The Company see related

Well, I went through the new yearbook just now.  The exotic variety of emotions raging inside me (mostly negative) compel me to make this list of advice to all current High School Students.  Most of these (though not all of them) are very strong opinions, so do not take them lightly.

Words of Experience

Or, “Veiled Confessions of a Recovering Wheaton Academy Student”

By Thomas Ritchie

1. Go to your class events and gatherings.  Now.  Learn about how cool your classmates are.  Now.  You won’t find anyone like them ever again.
   
2. Show School Spirit.  If you don’t have any, then act like you do, and it will come to you.  Trust me, it will.
   
3. If it is at ALL possible, quit school.  Ask me for details.
   
4. If you must go to school, NEVER let it get in the way of your education.
   
5. NEVER let your education get in the way of your school relationships.
   
6. If it’s a snow day, GO SLEDDING.  With classmates.
   
7. NEVER put homework above anything that’s at all worthwhile.
   
8. NEVER put laziness above homework.
   
9. Put order your life.  Know that "Order" does not mean "Schedule" or "Routine."  It means that there is a time and place for everything that is important to you.  And you need that.
   
10. To have order, you usually have to remove all the things that are NOT important to you.  This would seem pretty obvious, but somehow it is easy to forget.
    
11. All electronic entertainment is really, really, really, really overrated.  Don’t be ashamed to just tell someone that you want to watch less TV or play less video games, and make a plan to stop.  It’s easier to do than you think, and it’s SO worth it.
    
12. Don’t worry about your stupid High School Resume!  Just do what energizes you, and you’ll quickly find that you have energy to do way more stuff, and it’s way cooler stuff.  And there WILL be a cool college—or better, an employer—that is looking for someone exactly like you.  So be as “You” as you can.  (I know of many high-paying, successful employers who won’t even look at most Ph.D and ivy-league resumes, and a great many of the great colleges are looking for people with fun resumes as well.  There is a place for everyone.  Think of it this way: Imagine your dream employer.  YOU are their dream employee).  Again, ask me for details.
    
13. If you ever see an accordion for a cheap price, get it and you won’t regret it.  You wouldn’t believe the brain work those things will do for you; I could literally feel myself getting smarter since Junior year.  If you can't find one anywhere, then save up and get one of those $20 Cracker Barrel accordions.  Ask Glen Pearson for details.
    
14. It’s never too late to get in on the Wheaton Academy Homeschool Partnership Program!  Get rid of your pointless classes and learn the stuff on your own.  Then you can sleep more, read a book, or learn about something you actually like!  What fun!

High-schoolers: as much as you've ever valued my opinion, really seriously consider these things.  Heed them and you will avoid a lot of regret.

I meant to only write this to make myself feel a little better, but this is serious stuff, and I urge you with utmost urgency to listen.  I usually don't ask that of people, but I do now.  So... thanks.