About a week before school started, I was sitting outside swinging on our old swing set enjoying the breeze and listening to my oldies playlist. I was only slightly zoned out, watching two robins chase each other around my backyard, when I was suddenly struck by the lyrics to the song that was playing.

It was “Wasted on the Way” by Crosby, Stills and Nash, a song I usually don’t pay much attention to when it comes on. But for some reason, as the words “Look around you now, you must go for what you wanted/ Look at all my friends who did and got what they deserved” played, something inside me really resonated with the lyrics as I thought about this upcoming school year. It drove me to want to do more and really put myself out there, something I feel everyone should strive to do at some point in their high school career.

High school is what you make it, and one of the easiest ways to find your niche and make school enjoyable is to try new things and branch out into new clubs or activities.

When I started freshman year, I was fully prepared to completely coast through. All I participated in was the musical, leaving almost half the year completely open and boring once it was done. High school became a drag and the thought of three more years of boredom made me groan out loud.

So, at the end of freshman year I made the decision to do more sophomore year. I wasn’t quite sure what to try out for, so I did a little bit of everything. I applied to the newspaper, auditioned for show choir and braved a scathing remark from my scariest teacher in order to make it into Cardinal Cadre, getting accepted into all of them. The prospect of sophomore year became exciting, and it turned out to be one of the best years of my life.

I had finally found a place for myself, one where I felt like I was growing as a person. The sense of accomplishment and happiness I felt far outweighed the added stress, and instead of dreading the rest of my time in high school I started to hope the good times would never end.

Whether you’re a newly arrived freshman or a tired senior who can’t wait to graduate, you can always find something here at SHS to spice up your year and make high school more enjoyable.

For me, it was finding a way to express myself with people who shared my same interests and passion. Sure, grades and academics during high school are important and should be your main focus, but they aren’t everything.

Finding a club or sport that makes you feel good or fulfills one of your passions is so important, so seize the opportunities you have at this school and make these years some of the best. It could change your entire outlook on these last few carefree years.