Number one: Your middle school teachers were lying to you

Teachers say things like, “High school won’t be as easy,” or “Develop good habits now.”

Senior Joseph Kim heard these warnings repeatedly in middle school.

But for many students, including Kim, the reality isn’t as daunting as it’s often portrayed. While high school does demand more effort and responsibility, it also offers new freedoms, friendships and experiences that make the transition more exciting than terrifying.

“My middle school teachers always said high school is when it gets harder,” Kim said. “I don’t think it was much harder, just more fun.”

Still he acknowledged that academics required extra effort due to the advanced courses.

“I’ve taken 11 AP classes,” Kim said. “I took one my freshman year, four sophomore year and three for both junior and senior years.”

Taking multiple AP classes taught Kim responsibility early on.

“After taking four AP classes sophomore year, I was overwhelmed by the workload,” he said. “I couldn’t go out as much and had to work until late at night.”

Still, earning college credit made the effort worth it.

Number two: College isn’t about checklists

When Kim entered high school, he didn’t have a specific goal other than working toward college.

“High school was all for college,” he said. “The activities I participated in were to help me stand out to colleges. I made sure my activities aligned with my interests to show my strengths.”

The pressure to fill college applications with countless activities—regardless of genuine interest—still exists, but this isn’t necessarily what colleges look for in a prospective student.

While leadership roles, volunteering and academic clubs are valuable, admissions officers can often tell if a student isn’t genuinely interested in their extracurricular activities. Instead of standing out, students risk blending in with thousands of others who followed the same formula.

According to Kim, prioritizing genuine interests not only makes high school more enjoyable but also helps students create a more authentic and compelling application. Colleges seek students who demonstrate genuine passion and initiative.

Number three: Pursue experiences, not resumes

Students who pursue unique experiences that genuinely excite them stand out far more than those who follow the typical checklist of extracurriculars. For Kim, this meant participating in a summer exchange program in Japan for three weeks after his sophomore year.

Kim’s experience in Japan broadened his global awareness.

“The trip to Japan was amazing,” he said. “I would say it was one of the best experiences of my life. I got to eat good food, relax and experience a new culture.”

Encouraged by his family he chose the program because he genuinely wanted to experience another country.

“I would definitely recommend these kinds of programs to everyone,” Kim said. “It makes you think more about your future, passions and your dreams.”

It wasn’t just programs like the one he participated in that helped him stand out—he also founded the Ping Pong Club at our school.

“It helped me understand how the school system works, how hard it is to start a club and how much paperwork is involved,” he said. “But it was fun and I got to meet a lot of people.”

Number four: Stay open-minded and organized

Reflecting on his experience, Kim’s biggest piece of advice to freshmen is to stay open-minded.

“You meet different people and it’s a great way to get involved,” he said. “I didn’t really have a place to go during lunch, so visiting clubs was a way to fill that time.”

Similarly, senior Sri Senthilkumar emphasizes the importance of getting involved in activities that genuinely interest you.

“I wanted to learn about things I liked while building relationships with friends,” he said.

In addition, when faced with a lack of motivation, Senthilkumar advises that dedicating yourself now will pay off in the long run.

“If I put in work now, it’ll help me later in life,” he said.

Both seniors regret not joining more sports teams or school activities.

“I wish I had joined a sport like tennis and I regret not starting or joining more clubs, like robotics,” Senthilkumar said.

He co-founded a robotics club with his friends and competed in the VEX Robotics competition.

“We rebuilt our robot to make it better and it placed in the top 10 at our first competition,” he said.

Joining clubs like Robotics and Ping Pong made high school more memorable for both seniors.

While the workload and extracurricular activities can feel overwhelming, Senthilkumar suggests that time management is key.

“I try not to put too much pressure on myself and I’ve always had the mentality that I can do anything if I wanted to,” he said. “Listing out tasks that you need to do will help you be less stressed. Also, refraining from procrastinating will be helpful in the long run.”

High school should be memorable, so students should balance enjoyment with clear goals and commitment.

“The best advice I can give to underclassmen is to get involved with your passions and always keep your goals in mind,” Senthilkumar said.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 print edition.