Survival guide issuu c by 2014

August 20016

FRESHMEN June 2020

CLASS OF 2020

HIGH SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE A guide to the High School exerience for freshmen

Get ready to begin this journey, which will last you the next four years

WH A T M A TTERS IN LIFE ? The most important thing in life is ensuring the happiness of yourself and those around you. Ultimately, I strive for a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in the life that I live, and believe that enriching, rather than harming, the lives of others is important in order to achieve this. A true sense of happiness, however, can be hard to define and hard to achieve, especially since it is different for everyone. For me, one of the most important aspects of life is taking pride in all that I do. This means facing every challenge with heart and determination, no matter how big or small. It means trying to make the best of every situation even if it is not ideal. It means standing firm with my decisions because I am proud to let them define me. The people that surround me also play a large role in my own happiness. Being able to learn from all different kinds of people adds excitement to my days, and cultivating lasting friendships is so essential to living in this big, everchanging world. Lastly, embarking on new adventures and experiences never fails to make me happy. The opportunity to constantly push myself to try new things is, to me, one of the most important things in life.

Looking to

The Future

How important is it really to know where you will be four years from now, eight years from now, or even 10 years down the road? To be honest, I believe that there is no way of knowing, and believing that you do have your future set before you could cause you to pass up on some of the most important opportunities in life. People who live with the fear changing their plans for the future live forever in mediocrity; the chance to try new things, sometimes with the fear of failure or the unknown, is what allows people to truly become who they want to be. While I do not see the knowledge of a secure future as a major factor in one’s life, this does not mean that having dreams and goals for the future is not. I believe that setting goals, no matter how big or small, personal or professional, realistic or impossible, is absolutely essential to finding meaning in life. This does not mean that they cannot change, or that you must succeed in accomplishing them, but setting standards and goals allows us to dream. It allows us to define and discover who we want to be, even if that person is completely different that who we once thought we were.

Of the stories across the sky, We drew our own constellations... ~Jack Johnson

DON'T LET MISTAKES BE SO MONUMENTAL, DON'T LET YOUR LOVE BE SO CONFIDENTIAL, DON'T LET YOUR MIND BE SO DARN JUDGEMENTAL AND PLEASE LET YOUR HEART BE MORE INFLUENTIAL ~Michael Franti

The power of

Imagination Makes us infinite ~JohnÂ Muir

NOMADIC

Relationships We go to a very small school, but relationships still change. Friendships will likely shift throughout the course of the next four years, and boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go. My advice to you is to hold on to the people that make you happy - they will get you through the hard times. I believe that it is okay if people seem to go in and out of your life. If they are really important, they will come back. This being said, I think that it is important to keep the people that you know matter around. Also, while friendships and relationships are important, they should not define you. Other people are there to make you laugh and have fun with, but if they are different than you, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay. Know who you are, and who your friends are, and it shouldn.t be a problem if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re different from each other.

EXPECTATIONS:

Dream as if you'll live forever Live as if you'll die today

You are all coming into High school with a clean slate, and I hope you have incredible expectations about what will come in the next four years. I hope that you try new things and I believe that you can and will be successful in whatever ways you choose. But no matter what, high school can get hard, both socially and academically, and there will be times when you are not able to keep up with all that is going one, there will be times when you do fail miserably.

53 .p

Personally, I’m the kind of student who stresses a lot when I feel like I am getting behind in school. As a Freshmen, I was the student who had never missed a homework assignment in my life and didn’t think that I ever would. I clearly remember being a freshman and talking to a senior, who told me that there was no possible way that I would get through the year doing every assignment, and that was okay. I don’t think I believed her (how could that be okay??), but it turns out she was so right. You just can’t do it all (not just in terms of homework, but extracurriculars, hanging out with friends, etc.) and there will be times when you will have to make choices. You might give up on one expectation in a certain situation in order to succeed at another, and that is okay.

F A I L U R E S

A N D

M I S T A K E S

(Because we miserably fail sometimes) When it comes to mistakes, we’ve all heard that it is best to move on and learn from them so that we do not make the same mistake twice. I believe this is 100% true, but even more importantly, I don’t think we should take mistakes, especially our own, too seriously. I’m always stressed and embarrassed when I mess up, but I’ve started to realize that laughing at myself is a lot more fun than worrying about it. I also believe that, when we do make mistakes, hearing about someone that did something worse tends to make just a bit better. So, just for the times that you screw up in high school, here are just a few of the horribly stupid things I’ve done in the past four years: Lock my keys and all my stuff in my car a few blocks away from school. I had walk to school without anything (not even my phone) and go through a few periods with nothing at all. Lost two ipods and killed my phone by getting salt water in it Killed my car battery about three times Broke a potted plant that somebody was going to use as a gift (I felt so so guilty, but life moves on) Accidentally left my binder on top of my car and drove away with it. When I turned the corner onto main street, my HUGE stack of papers flew EVERYWHERE. The ambulance stopped traffic for a minute so that I could collect them. I don’t think you can beat that one, but I do dare you to try. As you can see, I seem to mess up more than the average person, but I made it out alive. You will too. And these terribly awkward and embarrassing moments give you something to laugh at looking back on them. But when you do feel like the world is going to end because you messed up so badly, just try and think about how much it will affect you in the future. Time can heal anything, even the kinds of mistakes that hurt people more than those I listed. Things always get better, and you will learn from what you have done.

ATTIC

JANUARY 2016

Life BEGINS at the END of your comfort zone

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do than by the ones you did do.

GRANT THOMPSON

ISSUE NO. 1

SURVIVING HIGHSCHOOL

A HERMITÂ´S GUIDE TO SANITY

¨As a Christian, I believe that Jesus Christ died for everyone’s sins, and in accepting that as the truth means that anyone who does will live with Him forever in heaven, and escape eternal suffering. With that in mind, I want to make sure that I don´t place value in the things that misrepresent what I am about. I want to make sure that I am not living a two faced life in which I am a hollow shell of conformities. I hope to influence others in a positive way, that I am able to be someone who people rely on, and in that, be able to share God with them. Otherwise I am not the man I claim to be.¨

¨A secure future is a goal that many keep in their checklist as they grow. Throughout school we are asked ¨What do you want to be when you grow up?¨ and ¨Do you know what your plan is for college?¨ So the idea is quickly planted in us that we ought to plan ahead and make sure the planets are aligned for your future in order to be successful. But the problem is that it is impossible to know for sure what happens the next day. We place so much emphasis on what we're planning that we neglect to understand that we could easily die tomorrow and lose whatever we planned for our future. However, it is still a good idea to make wise decisions and not be reckless, because despite our fragile lives, we all serve a purpose in the world, and our goal is to find what that role is, so that we may shine.¨

Poem

- ¨Sick¨ by Shel Silverstein

“I cannot go to school today," Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

“I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, I’m going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks, I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox And there’s one more--that’s seventeen, And don’t you think my face looks green? My leg is cut--my eyes are blue-It might be instamatic flu. I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke, I’m sure that my left leg is broke-My hip hurts when I move my chin, My belly button’s caving in, My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained, My ‘pendix pains each time it rains. My nose is cold, my toes are numb. I have a sliver in my thumb. My neck is stiff, my voice is weak, I hardly whisper when I speak. My tongue is filling up my mouth, I think my hair is falling out. My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight, My temperature is one-o-eight. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, There is a hole inside my ear. I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what? What’s that? What’s that you say? You say today is. . .Saturday? G’bye, I’m going out to play!”

¨Cave In¨ - Owl City ¨I'll keep my helmet on Just in case my head caves in

(In case my head caves in)

'Cause if my thoughts collapse Or my framework snaps

It ll make a mess like you wouldn t believe Tie my handlebars to the stars

(so I stay on track) And if my intentions stray I'll wrench

So I stay on track

them away

Then I ll take my leave and I won t even

look back

Relationships Proper relationships with others are an essential part of a healthy life. As with anything, balance is key to maintaining a healthy relationship. One can only maintain so many quality relationships without letting others go. Though, having acquaintances in high school is great because it teaches how to treat others outside of your life ´s immediate vicinity. Whether it be consisting of inside jokes, or just common places, these can sprinkle a bit of pleasantries throughout one's day. However, don’t spread yourself too thin; deep friendships that extend beyond fun times and excitements are just as important. Without friendships like these, one can feel somewhat disconnected with the world because they can feel misunderstood, or as if they are a fish out of water. Romantic relationships are quite on a different caliber. It is likely to be the most intimate (or should be) of all relationships one has. As a result, many take their chances with someone they like to develop a romantic relationship and experience that intimacy. Though statistically, high school sweethearts rarely succeed in a marital context; they often fall apart soon after high school. So ultimately, there is purpose in these relationships, however if one is not wise enough to understand why they have a romantic relationship in the first place, then it is destined to end in remorse.

Expectations Each day in our lives, we interact with someone who inevitably has some expectation of you. That is unavoidable. Expectations, when expressed properly, is something that tries us and encourages us to become someone greater than before. Sometimes the expectations placed upon us, do not reflect the person we want to be, or the person we are capable of becoming. Other times, we simply fail to reach our potentials. When teachers and parents expect us to do our homework and get good grades, they expect us to prove how smart and adaptable we can be to challenges and new concepts. Their intent is simply to express their faith in our development as a person. The danger in expectations being placed upon someone, is that one’s vision of another’s future can be harmful to one’s psyche if it bears goals too ambitious for one to manage. Some people place expectations on themselves that are wholly unrealistic, and simply make themselves doomed from the start and cause themselves to be depressed because they believe they are inferior. So the important thing to remember is that one should know their limits, and then prevent oneself from wearing thin in the world of expectations.

Mistakes Mistakes are inevitable, as people we are naturally flawed and bound to do the wrong thing whether it be in morality or in wisdom. It takes a proper heart to want to understand why mistakes happen. And ultimately it is up to us to figure out how to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Because if we do not learn from our mistakes, we are bound to destroy ourselves and those we love. While mistakes are inevitable, we must strive to do the right thing to the best of our knowledge, despite the chance of failing. Learning from mistakes is beneficial to a healthy life. Some mistakes are easier to overcome than others. It is much easier to overcome being rude in frustration than it is to kill someone in anger. And that is why it is important to be wise in our decisions. The best way to avoid making as many mistakes as possible is to learn from people who have gone through life much further than you: pastors, parents, grandparents, teachers, the list goes on. Education is the best solution for preventing mistakes, so learn as much as you realistically can and use both yours and other’s best judgement. Do that, and you’ll go far.

Live

Out What

You're Passionate About

THE TEENAGER'S GUIDE TO RULING

THE WORLD HIGH SCHOOL

TABLE OF CONTENTS : w

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What Matters Most in LIfe

important is a secure Future

Memorable song l

Poem about

RElationships

rics

School

Relationships

RElationships

pectations from our parents and ourselves

Mistakes

last

ords

e all make

“Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-

indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the

proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of

”

your values.

―

Ayn Rand

What matters most in life? I would say purpose and happiness.

TBH;

Purpose gives meaning to life whether it s to find a cure for cancer or to put food on the table from day to day, having a purpose pushes people to ascend to greater heights and gives them a reason to live rather than just living for the sake of living. ;

’

With accomplishment, comes happiness, and with happiness, comes the determination to accomplish even more. However, even more importantly is the happiness that is already within your grasp. The happiness that comes from being with those you love and care for. The happiness that comes with unconditional love. The kind of love that so many people spend their entire lives searching for. The kind of love that is so easily given, yet those who seek it never find it. What matters most in life may be right in front of your eyes. “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something

”

to live for.

―

Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers

Karamazov

How important is a secure future? In my four years of high school, I've found that a balance between having a secure future and having fun is more important than either of the extremes. As with all things, your future will reflect the amount of work you've put into it. Work hard to secure your future, but don't forget to also enjoy your life. Personally, I prioritize school over hanging out with friends. They'll understand so you don't have to worry about them getting upset at you, plus, you'll always have time to spend with them. On the other hand, you don't want to spend your entire life working or studying; sometimes you have to make time for them.

"Success isn't built on success, it's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes it's built on catastrophe" Sumner Redstone

I still fall on my face sometimes and I can't color inside the lines

CAUSE I'M PERFECTLY INCOMPLETE I'M STILL WORKING ON MY

masterpiece AND I,

I WANNA HANG WITH THE GREATS GOT A WAY TO GO, BUT IT'S WORTH THE WAIT

you haven't seen the best of me

I'M STILL WORKING ON MY

masterpiece - Jessie J. "Masterpiece"

¨Schools can be so unbearable sometimes, On some days, it’s the work Homework!Homework!Homework! On others, it’s the teacher Do this! Do that! No! Yes! Stop! Don’t talk! Some days, you just want to kill everybody ... So, now you see A glimpse Into my world Where we make friends And learn many trends Despite the differences We’re just normal teenagers We love. We hate We learn along the way So, cut us loose Oh, dear teachers we will be nice give us a chance But sometimes Just let us be in our very own skins As we are Hotblooded teenagers!" Lisa Asmeralda, "From a Student's POV"

RELATI NSHIPS Relationships are fairly important in life. We, as humans, are social and emotionally-driven creatures: we thrive on spending time with others and expressing ourselves. So, the question is “Is it better to have a bunch of friends or just a few who truly understand you?”; honestly, it’s best to have a mix of the two based on your personality: are you more of an extrovert or an introvert? However, if you look at it as an either-or situation, I would say that it’s better to have just a few close friends who truly understand you. Even if you have a bunch of friends, you’ll really only hang out with the few close friends that understand you. It’s those few that will be there for you when you’re having a bad day or going through hard times. On the other hand, sometimes, it’s good to spend some time alone. Being with the same people everyday can get annoying or boring; little quirks might really start to get on your nerves. Additionally, having people around you all the time can also get pretty overwhelming. So, in my opinion, having some time to yourself helps to keep a person sane. In high school, many people wonder about romantic relationships: “Is it worth it?”, “How important is it?”, etc. This really depends on where your priorities are and you personally. Having a significant other in high school can be good for some people because a significant other can provide emotional support. Some people may even find that having a significant other helps boost their confidence. Please keep in mind, it’s not like this for everyone. Like I said before, it really depends on you and your boyfriend/girlfriend. Personally, I chose not to date in high school. If I were to date someone, it would be because I see potential for a future together. To be honest, many teenagers are not mature enough to have a serious relationship. Most of the time, high schoolers date because they “like” each other, not because they see the potential to stay together. So what’s my final answer regarding romantic relationships in high school? It’s your choice; do what you want based on your priorities and what you’re looking to accomplish in high school. Just remember that high school is just a small part of your life: you’ll meet so many more people, and you yourself change as you grow older. What you wanted in high school, your ideal guy/girl in high school, is likely not going to be that same as when you get into your 20’s and 30’s.

expectations Many people have described me as a perfectionist, however, I feel that, more than trying to make everything perfect, I just want to put my best into everything I do. I want the work that I put out to be something that I’m proud to say that is mine and that I did the best I could and mean it. That is the most important part: that I know I did my best. If you have to convince yourself that you tried the best you could, you might want to keep working. At least, in my opinion you might. My parents have similar expectations of me, however, they know me better than myself. When I feel like no matter how much I try I’m still going to fail, they are the one who push me to still go for it. Why? Because they know that I can, or, at least, they believe I can.

s e k a t s i M

Everyone makes mistakes. In fact, making mistakes should be expected; no one is perfect and no one has all the answers so you're bound to make some mistakes in high school...life in general really.

Now that that's been said, also keep in mind that you shouldn't kill yourself over your mistakes. Don't hold on to them, learn from them and let them go. Mistakes are made to be learned from, and by learning from your mistakes, you pave the way to success and have a lesser chance of making the same mistake in the future. On another note, just because you're expecting to make mistakes doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to prevent them. Carefully think over your decisions and try to make the best one. Being rash just because you're "going to make mistakes anyway" is a bad decision in itself. By doing this, you would only be setting yourself up for avoidable mistakes and, quite possibly, failure. On another note, just because you're expecting to make mistakes doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to prevent them. Carefully think over your decisions and try to make the best one. Being rash just because you're "going to make mistakes anyway" is a bad decision in itself. By doing this, you would only be setting yourself up for avoidable mistakes and, quite possibly, failure.

FINAL

WORDS

LEARN TO

STAND AFTERÂ YOU

FALL

VOL. 1

ISSUE NO. 1

High School Experience

High School may seem like the most important part of life, but life starts when you start to fallow your dreams.

WHAT IN LIFE MATTERS Quotes

What I think People ask this question often, ¨Ẅhats most important in life?¨ either searching answers or opinion. In my own opinion the most important things in life is God and family. The reason I choose these two things is that neither one of them will leave your side. Both will always be there for you and support you. Some people that don't believe that their is a God may differ but that's what I believe. Family are the people that no matter what your faults are, or how much you irritate them, they always love you and want to help you. They are the people that will disappoint you at times but will never betray you. I have learned that sometimes we take our family for granted until they are all we have left. The next most important thing to do is smile and laugh. Smile and laugh through good and bad times. That is what helps and gets you through anything. These things my seem simple but they are what is true for me.

Life is short, so do things that make you happy, and be with people that make you happy. Look for the good in everyday, even if some days you have to look harder.¨ - Karen Salmansohn ¨A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. ¨ -Joseph Campbell ¨

Secure Future I say, having a secure future is important to success and living comfortably. I have learned now how important and essential they are, when I was a freshman I did not care as much about my grades as I do now. I highly regret not caring more. Those grades lead you into the type of college you go to and when you have good grades it shows future employers and colleges that you are willing to work hard. On the other hand, some people do not care about being comfortable or having success that society says is success. I agree that people should follow their heart and do things they have always wanted. People do not have to give up their success to do so though. I believe that you can maybe get a job that helps you accomplish your dreams or maybe go on adventures on your vacation. I say having a secure future is important, but your job or security doesn’t have to stop you from those adventures you want to pursue.

"I like the idea of being warm and secure. That's what home should be. That you have a sense of warmth, security, love, and you love the things around you and surround yourself with beauty." Andre Leon Talley

Stand tall oh mighty oak, for all the world to see, your strength and undying beauty forever amazes me. Though storm clouds hover above you, your branches span the When life gives you lemons sky, It will be okay in search of the radiant When life give you lemons sunlight you Make lemonade count on to survive. Alex Boyé When the winds are high and restless and you lose a limb or two, it only makes you stronger, we could learn so much from you. Though generations have come and gone and brought about such Where there is desire, there is going to be a flame change, Where there is a flame someone is bound to get quietly you've watched burned them all yet still Just because it burns it doesn't mean your going to remained the same. die I only pray God give to me Youve gotta get up and try the strength he's Pink given you, to face each day with hope, whether skies are black or blue, Life on earth is truly a gift every moment we must

Poetry

Are relationships Important? My Thoughts Relationships are things that depending the person have a different meaning. Some people choose to have lots of friends, and others a couple really good friends that will always be there for you. I personally have tried both, but in the end having those friends you can turn to at any time are the most worth putting your effort into. You can have a bunch of okay friends, but in the end you are going to get hurt, you will have friends but no one to turn to. So those people you can count on are the people that will matter to you the rest of your life, those okay friends will be forgotten and uninfluential on your life longterm. Romantic relationships also tend to seem important in high school, but most of the time you are not going to end up with that person. Don’t like significant others define you, and if you do have a boyfriend/girlfriend do not let them control you, have someone who loves you for who you are and who you want to be, not for who they think you should be.

Have a Healthy Relationship ”Friends pick us up when we fall down, and if they can’t pick us up, they lie down and listen for a while” – Anonymous

EXPECTATIONS Expectations are always going to be surrounding you. How you deal with those expectations is what's important. You will have expectations from your parents, teachers, friends, and most importantly yourself. Those expectations are there to motivate you, and make you a better person. Your friends and peers may have expectations that are not right or are not going to help you. My parents encourage me to always do my best at everything I do. I have more expectations for myself than anyone else does. Although your parents may seem like they are asking like a lot from you, I promise those hope and dreams they have for you are only for your best. Yet, no matter what never lose sight of what is important in your life and what you want for your future. Also, never expect so much from yourself that you are always disappointed with yourself. Keep your expectations at a point you can achieve and achieve at the level you want to.

Mistakes Everyone makes mistakes. In high school people tend to make mistakes like; dating the wrong people, treating other people badly, talking bad about them, and other things which I promise you, you will find out at some point. One aspect to remember about mistakes is you can always fix them. You can’t take them back, but you have to forgive yourself, and if you hurt someone always say sorry. All throughout high school you will do things you will regret, but don’t let those mistakes haunt you to where you can’t have fun. On the other hand, always learn from those mistakes you make, and try not to do that mistake again. One thing that I have learned from others, is do not do things that will affect you for the rest of your life. Things you can’t take back or fix will be with you the rest of your life. s I e k sta hat I i m t the ankful ." l l a h em th g h t m u ' I o r m , "Th made ed fro e rn hav ve lea ha

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on D

r ou ey id ec sd er th to le

s. m ea dr

The End As a high school student there will be times you want to give up, times your friends hurt you, through all the hard times stay strong and keep doing your best, being the best person you can be. There will also be times you will never forget and you will keeps those moments with you forever. Just remember that high school is not all there is in life, there is so much more. In the end it is not about how popular you are, its how hard you worked and the loyal friends you will remember forever.

2020 High School TIME FLIES BY.

By: Kimberly Thompson Class of 2016

Keep your friends close

Friends don't let you do

Stupid stuff alone.

Laughter When you love and laugh abundantly you live a beautiful life

The LOVE a FAMILY is life's greatest BLESSING

Humble & Kind Tim McGraw Visit grandpa every chance that you can It won't be wasted time Always stay humble and kind Hold the door, say please, say thank you Don't steal, don't cheat, and don't lie I know you got mountains to climb but Always stay humble and kind Know the difference between sleeping with someone And sleeping with someone you love "I love you" ain't no pick up line so Always stay humble and kind Don't take for granted the love this life gives you When you get where you're goin Don't forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind

Don't Quit By:Â Unknown

When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit. Rest, if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns As every one of us sometimes learns. And many a failure turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out: Don't give up though the pace seems slow You may succeed with another blow Success is failure turned inside outThe silver tint of the clouds of doubt. And you never can tell how close you are. It may be near when it seems so far: So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Relationships

Friends are the ones you can counts on. They are there when you need a shoulder to cry on, or just need to have a good laugh.

You make Mistakes and YOU learn for them.

Your Lifes just starting

Don't mess up 2020

High School Survival Guide

Happiness

What Matters Most In Life? I think that happiness is the key to success. Without happiness life would be boring. It would be like walking around all the time with a rainy cloud above your head. As you walk around every person you came in contact with would feel your sadness physically. But if you have happiness in your life you would walk around with a sun above your head and every time you came in contact with someone the radiant heat would reflect onto them giving them your happiness. Happiness is one thing that everyone should have, it helps the world go round, it brings people together.

I think we like to complicate things when it is really quite simple; find what it is that makes you happy, and who it is that makes you happy and you're set. Promise.

Secure Future I think having a secure future is important because it leads the way to what you want to accomplish in life. Without a secure future you would just be walking in circles you would think you would like something only to realize that you don't then you would proceed onto whatever the next thing that popped into your head was. In my oppinion with out a secure future their wouldn't be any colleges because nobody would know exactly what they wanted to do so they wouldn't spend that much money on school.

PLaylist Don't Dream it's Over -Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande Happy - Pharell 7 Years- Lukas Graham Sour Patch KIds - Bryce Vine

Relationships

I think that everyone should experience a good relationship once in there life. Rather it's a best friend or a guy/girl you truly care about. Would you rather have one friend that cares for you or a bunch of friends? I would rather have one friend who truly understand me then a bunch of friends that are just there for the ride. What are some pros and cons of solitude? A pro would be that you can get more things accomplished, but a con would be some people don’t like the thought of being alone. Most people like being around people it makes them feel good. Relationships (romantic)? From my past I don't trust relationships. At this age people should be focusing more on school and friendship then focusing on a guy/girl they “truly care about” I think that relationships are not very important in high school, first it distracts you from the learning part, second when the relationship doesn't last it gets you down and you don't really pay attention in class.

"High school isn't about looking for your husbands, it's about finding your bridesmaids" - Say Yes to the Dress "Sometimes you have to move on without certain people. If they're meant to be in your life, they'll catch up" -Mandy Hale

"At some point, you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart but not in your life" -Unknown

Expectations When I was younger I always wanted to be with the “popular” kids, but as i grew up I realized that it isn’t all about popularity, how rich you are, it’s about the kindness that you spread to the people around you. To feel comfortable with yourself, I would rather be friends with the less popular people because they care for you a lot more. I have had so much fun with the friends I have know rather then when I was in elementary school and trying to fit it. I just let myself be me and didn’t care about what people thought. I have learned throughout the years that society has high expectations for this generation. We are the technology generation, we have gone from flip phones to touch phones to actually seeing a person face to face (even if they are all the way across the world). Our generation is going downhill fast, soon we all will be like those cartoon characters from Wall-e. We all need to take a stand and focus on each other in this world, show the elders that we can make a difference.

Mistakes

Are mistakes always mistakes? In my opinion I think mistakes can sometimes really be a mistake but not always. At the beginning of this year I had just got my license and I felt invincible until the day that I decided to go to fast in my car which lead me to crashing. I had told people that it was a mistake and in my opinion it was an honest mistake, like I didn’t mean to crash I wouldn't do that on purpose but if I hadn't of gone so fast around the corner which was clearly a 45 not a 65 I wouldn't have crashed and put another person's life into danger. But I don't think it is a mistake if say you get drunk at a party and get into a car and drive, that's not a mistake. I have learned so much from high school and the most important thing i learned is that a honest mistake is always an honest mistake.

"Its not how we make mistakes, but how we correct them that defines us" -Unknown

"Making mistakes is better then faking perfections" -Unknown

What Matters Most I’d say what matters most in life is just enjoying your life. Try not to stress too hard about the big stuff and most defiantly try not to stress about the small stuff. There are many things in life that will make you unhappy or angry even but you’ll back a few weeks later and think yeah that most definitely wasn’t worth getting upset over. I also think you really do have to try to be happy else you won’t be, it is all a state of mind and the only person who controls your state is you. It is very hard to make the choice to be happy over angry but in my mind it is what matters most in life as you only got one life and you should use it wisely. Besides that just try to have fun. A Secure Future A secure future is extremely important and one should even come up with backup plans in case things go poorly with that “secure future”. The thing about worrying and focusing on a secure future is that it is very time consuming and very taxing to your own body as you’ll be stressing or worried if your “secure future” is secure. It takes so much effort and time you’ll probably be spending most of your days at least doing something to benefit your stable future. It is a huge amount of work but it is needed in order to make your life stable. Keeping that stuff in mind you should also try to have fun and let loose.I say this because working on making a stable life isn’t always the funnest thing to do, it might even be the last thing you want to do in the world but you always have to do what you got to do.

Relationships I’d say relationships are very important but not a must for some people. Some truly do enjoy being by themselves and even thrive. For most however relationships are extremely important because they give you someone to vent to, someone that wants to listen to you. I would most definitely say having a few good friends is way, way more important to have a few good friends rather than fifty okay friends because those friends really don’t matter. The few good friends are going to be the ones who actually give a damn about you and will want to help you. Solitude can be good at certain times when you don’t feel like being around anyone but I don’t know anyone who purposely tries to hang out exclusively with themselves everyday. I’m sure those people do exist but it seems sort of unhealthy and in my opinion they are probably just going through something. Romantic relationships are completely optionable because sometimes you don’t find that right person. I would always recommend for you to look for that person but sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that and that is fine. 6 words Life is too short, enjoy it

HIGH SCHOOL

"Find your passion and follow it wherever it takes you."

SECURE FUTURE HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? Advice on preparing for life after high school .

A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR FRESHMEN Answering the question of what in life matters most .

INCLUDES SONG LYRICS AND POETRY!

“Life is what you make it.” I’ve heard those words so many times over the years, and just recently they have started to resonate with me. Life is a series of ups and downs, where everything is subject to change. You can’t always control your circumstances, but you can control your view on them. Your outlook is what matters most. With a positive outlook, you create healthy relationships, good opportunities, an ultimately happy lifestyle. With a negative outlook, you create weak relationships, don’t find opportunities, and live a unhappy life. In the end, here’s what I’ve decided: Don’t overthink things. Be certain of what you know, try not to concentrate on what you don’t. Surround yourself with people who bring you joy. Don’t waste your time with people who hurt you. But love everyone. Treat everyone with kindness and you will see it reflected in your own life. Live on the edge and take risks, but know yourself and your limits. Do what you want. Tell people you care about them. Be adventurous, yet stay grounded. Find your passion and follow it wherever it takes you. Love with all your heart and know that the people who love you back won’t let you go. If they do, it’s okay. You are worth so much. And someday you’ll find someone who sees it.

LIFE ADVICE

"You're putting on your armor when you leave, and you leave because you're certain "All we wanna of who you know is where the want to be." stars came from, but do we ever stop, ever stop to watch them shine?" Ungrateful Eyes - Jon Bellion

"Are we all lost stars, trying to light up the dark?" Lost Stars - Maroon 5

Icarus - Bastille

"And God, tell us the reason "Yes I'm afraid of youth is heights, but I'm not afraid to fly. wasted on Let me hear the the young." dreamers!" Lost Stars - Maroon 5

For the Dreamers - Jon Bellion

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim Because it was grassy and wanted wear, Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

Importance of a Secure Furute

A topic that is constantly debated among adults and youth is the important of a secure future. Many people argue that you have to have everything planned out, that this is the only way to be successful , that knowing exactly what you want to do will ultimately pan out for the best. Others say that planning things out will only restrict you, and hinder you from reaching your potential. They say that a secure future is only a boring one, and the adventure of life cannot and should not be predicted. I fall somewhere in the middle. While it is important to have a general idea of what you want to do, it is just as valuable to be open to change. If you completely set your sights on one path and cannot achieve it, you have no plan B to fall back on. On the other hand, if you set no goals for yourself and simply live day by day, reaching your ultimate potential will become increasingly more difficult. The best way to succeed is to set your sights on a goal, but know that things can and will always change. So be prepared for the ride.

RELATIONSHIPS what matters most

Relationshipsboth romantic and friendshipscome and go. There will always be that friend that just didn’t stick around, or the boyfriend or girlfriend that didn’t end up working out. But whoever comes into your life, the most important thing is that they care about you. In high school, it makes a big difference to surround yourself with people who make you happy. No matter if they’re in a different grade, into different things, not someone you’d ever have thought you’d hang out with; if they’re a positive influence on you and are a good friend, it’s a relationship worth having. So starting out in high school, try to find people who will do just that. Don’t worry if they aren’t your same friends from middle school, or if they’re the people you have called your best friends for your whole life. What matters is how they treat you and act around you. It also doesn’t matter if you only have a few close friends. Having that small number of people who love you is better than to have lots of friends who, when it comes down to it, don’t actually care about you. When picking your friends, just be honest with yourself. Do these people,

Expectations: they’ll always be there. From yourself, from others, from society. No matter where you go or what you do, there will be expectations as to how you do it. The only thing you can to do keep up with them is to be honest with yourself. Set goals that you want to achieve, not that others think are best for you. Pursue the career that you want to, and if you don’t know what that is yet, go find your passion. Explore the world and find yourself, don’t simply settle for what others want for you. Their expectations can be there to guide you; maybe to show you a possible path, or maybe to show you exactly what you don’t want to do. Either way, what you do with your life is entirely up to you. Society will always have its biases and its status quo, but you, in turn, will always have your morals. Only you can know what you truly want. If you want to get straight A’s in high school, be a valedictorian, be a student athlete; you can do all that. If you would rather take welding and fire, going in the path of your career, that is entirely up to you. No one path is the path of success, because success is completely relative. If you are doing something you love, and working hard to achieve your goals, you will be successful. No matter your path or the expectations others have of it.

"When you release expectations, you are free to enjoy things for what they are instead of what you think they should be" Mandy Hale

MISTAKES and why you have to learn from them

I have made countless mistakes, and I’m sure you have too. They are an inevitable aspect of life, a part of what makes us human. In my experience, there are good mistakes and bad mistakes. The good mistakes, no matter how small or large, teach you a lesson. You change for the better after having made them, and now know something you once did not. The only bad mistakes are those you do not learn from. No one can help making mistakes, but everyone can help making them again. If you make a bad decision, often times the only thing you can do is learn from it. There are some situations that seem like they could get no worse, but they always can. It will always be worse if you are in that situation for the second, third, or fourth time. In high school and in life, people will forgive you. They will trust you even when you do things you shouldn’t. It is only after repeated failures that they begin to question you. So my advice to you is to always learn from your mistakes. Always remember what that moment feels like, and promise yourself you will never feel that way again.

TREAT LIFE LIKE ONE BIG ADVENTURE

VOL. 20

ISSUE NO. 3

High School Survival Guide

Cracking the System How to make it through high school

WHY THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MOLD When you’re in high school you are going to be asked a lot about your future. For me, i always knew what i wanted to do in my future, which is the Marine Corps. It was a long process but i stuck it out got all my paperwork done passed my ASVAB which was a real struggle for me but everything went good and now my future is all set up and November 7th my future starts. Now for me I always knew what i wanted to do, others go to college, some people just go straight to work and then some people don’t know. The people who don’t know what they are going to do start to get real nervous come graduation time because it's time to be an adult and get your stuff together. You have 4 years of high school to get your stuff together and figure it out. “... in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future.” (57) Now clearly Chris has a totally different opinion about your future than me. I think its best when you know what is going to happen in the future.

What Matters Most in Life COPENHAGEN UNIVERSITYÂ PRESS

Family

"When you're broken In a Million little pieces And your tryin' But you can't hold on any more Every tear falls down for a reason Don't you stop believin' in your self When you're broken"

Family is where life begins and Love never ends

Expectations Your parents, teachers, family member and really anyone who knows you is gonna have some high expectations for you through out high school. Always try your best for the next 4 years. My freshman year I tried really hard to get good grades and I did, then i got lazy. My grades were still good, never lower than a C but I also took easy classes. If you want to get into a good college, take some of those hard classes and challenge yourself to do better in life.

One mistake in high school can change your whole life so make wise decisions

How to Survive High School

By: Dom Brandauer

You'll be asked a lot, what matters most in life to you, and in my opinion this is what matters most to me; What matters most in life to me, are my friends. I wouldn't be where I am today without their encouragement and support. I’ve learned the hard way that I would rather have just a few friends that understand me, rather than all the “friends” who are fake and irrelevant to my life. My friends are a blessing in my life and a word of advice for you, Hang on to those friends who care and always check on you. They're the real friends you need in your life, Another thing you should learn to comprehend is; you will have fights with you best friend, and sometimes those fights can get nasty, but without those fights there's no honesty and raw emotion, you need that in friendship, trust me. My best friend is my other half and if I didn't keep her in my life I would be in a very different place, and not necessarily a good place. Your best friend might and will probably change throughout highschool, and that's okay! People come into your life for a reason and they leave for a reason as well, Everything works out for the better in the end.

Importance of a SecureÂ future Don't get me wrong when I say this, but, It IS okay to not have a secure future. Be adventurous don't let anything or anyone hold you back. Your parents may want you to attend the best ivy league right out of High School and have it all planed out for you, But if that's not what you want., Then don't. You'll regret the memories you didn't make later on in life. I mean, don't go all Chris Mccandless and completely fall off the face of the earth. (You'll learn about him senior year). But if you don't want to stick with the plans of going to college right after HIgh School, or not having any set plans then don't, no one is judging. You'll figure things out when you're ready.

Who dosent love music?

My favorite song is: Me Myself and I; by G-Easy, The lyrics relate to my final semester of senior year, Ive figured out who's real and who's fake and that I've got myself till the end

Music is a huge part of my life, You never really comprehend how much a song can relate to your life or situation, until you really listen to the lyrics.

Tell yourself: Everything will workout. Things will get better. You are important. You are worthy of great things. You are loveable. The time is now. This too, shall pass. You can be who you really are. The best is yet to come. You are strong. You can do this.

Relationships If you walk into highschool with the idea that you're going to marry your first love who just so happens to be an upperclassman, you're wrong. Let's get that idea out of your head right now. If you find yourself getting so caught up in a relationship that you end up cutting everyone else in your life out, then you need to take a step back and think hard if that's right for you. I knew so many people who had that senior boyfriend or girlfriend as a freshman and had their whole life planned out. They ended up cutting everyone in their life out, except for their senior love. They were dumped like no other and did they have any friends to go back to? Maybe 1 or 2, but the majority did not have any sympathy for that situation. I promise you that 90% of high school relationships are only wasting your time, and giving you irrevelant heartbreak. Instead of wasting every second with this â&#x20AC;&#x153;significant otherâ&#x20AC;?, join clubs and make memories with your friends. You have your whole life to settle down into a serious relationship, you don't have to settle down within the 4 years of high school.

Expectations I don't even know where to start with this.. In high school you can't expect everything to turn out perfect, things happen, plans change and people change. Be optimistic, take those chances, because those chances can get you so far. No matter what, make good decisions and only regret the things you didn't do.

Mistakes Everyone makes mistakes, you already know that. But what some people don't know is; We learn and become a better person from our mistakes. If we didn't make those mistakes then we wouldn't be the people we are today. Making mistakes is part of our daily routine. What really matters is How you handle your mistake.. Its okay to acknowledge that you messed up, don't lie to yourself, its only making things worse.

A letter to the reader Now that you've read my advice and what not, I wanted to tell you some things I wish I had listened to when I was a freshmen. Time is going to fly by faster than you know it. I sat in my last class color yearbook rally today and all I could think about was when I was standing against the wall dressed in white, totally ready to begin this adventure with my first Grizzly Spell out. Now Ive got 5 days and then I'm done. Where'd that time go?! It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in my uncle Desanders room learning about health and drivers ED. Cherish every memory you make and take those risks. You'll be saying how much you wanna leave and quit, don't. It'll be over within the blink of an eye and thats actually pretty sad. You'll be in my spot, wondering where the hell all the time went... Another thing, Love yourself! You're worth so much and you won't always see that. Ignore all the fake crap and focus on you, and positivity that comes into your life, you'll thank me later. And lastly, Have fun and enjoy these next 4 years.. - Dom Brandauer Class of 2016

How to Survive High School

By: Dom Brandauer

Who dosent love music?

My favorite song is: Me Myself and I; by G-Easy, The lyrics relate to my final semester of senior year, Ive figured out who's real and who's fake and that I've got myself till the end

Music is a huge part of my life, You never really comprehend how much a song can relate to your life or situation, until you really listen to the lyrics.

Relationships If you walk into high school with the idea that you're going to marry your first love who just so happens to be an upperclassman, you're wrong. Let's get that idea out of your head right now. If you find yourself getting so caught up in a relationship that you end up cutting everyone else in your life out, then you need to take a step back and think hard if that's right for you. I knew so many people who had that senior boyfriend or girlfriend as a freshman and had their whole life planned out. They ended up cutting everyone in their life out, except for the love of their life. They were dumped like no other and did they have any friends to go back to? Maybe 1 or 2, but the majority did not have any sympathy for that situation. I promise you that 90% of high school relationships are only wasting your time, and giving you irrevelant heartbreak. Instead of wasting every second with this â&#x20AC;&#x153;significant otherâ&#x20AC;?, Join clubs and make memories with your friends. You have your whole life to settle down into a serious relationship, you don't have to settle down within the 4 years of high school.

Surviving High School

WHAT MATTERS MOST IN LIFE

HAPPINESS Happiness hap·pi·ness Noun ˈhapēnəs happiness noun; happinesses plural noun the state of being happy.: "she struggled to find happiness in her life" "Tom's heart swelled with happiness". synonyms:pleasure, contentment, satisfaction, cheerfulness, merriment, gaiety, joy, joyfulness, joviality, jollity, glee, delight, good spirits, lightheartedness, well-being, enjoyment.

The thing that matters the most in life is one’s happiness. The reason why is because if you live a life the way others want you to live and it doesn’t give you happiness, you will forever regret not doing something that makes you happy. Doing something that makes you happy, makes your life worth living. Those that pursue a passion that they love makes them even more prosperous and rich in life, than just having money. The most richest man can have all the money in the world and still not be happy, because happiness can’t be permanently bought, only temporary. With happiness one can get love, money, friends, and plenty of other things. Happiness is something many people try to find in others and can only be found in oneself. Happiness is a rarity that many lack. Happiness is something that can’t be stolen unwillingly. One can choose to give up happiness due to others, but can never be stolen from.

As someone once said, “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” “We hold these truths to be selfevident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” Thomas Jefferson “Happiness only real when shared” Christopher Johnson McCandless “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful” Albert Schweitzer

How important is having a secure future? Live a balanced life in between secure future and adventure , for then you won't regret not having fun, as well as not having to worry about survival.

In my opinion, having a secure future as well as living an adventurous life is the best of both worlds. However, in order to have both, you wouldn’t be able to go too extreme in both directions. You would instead have to have a balance between adventure and a secure future. Having a life of adventure let’s your soul to be free like how it was meant to be, but at the same time having a secure future helps with your mortal body that is physically here. To keep a balance, between the two, is the way one should live. Never going too far one way or the other. Some who have gone extremely towards adventure have never been seen or heard from again. And those who went too far into a secured future, they have lived a life filled with regrets. Although there are the small, well miniscule, amount of people who have made it and know what to do as they went extremely towards one side, those who took the Adventure side survived, while those on the secure future side became happy and not regret anything.

Depending on the person, relationships are important. However, having a ton of those you call friends is not as important as having a small group of really close friends that you hang out with and talk to daily above the rest. Some people tend to remain by themselves, preferring their own company, while others prefer the company of others. I’ve had lots of friends, but those I call friends, can be better described as friendly acquaintances than friends. I also have a select few friends that I actually call friends due to the fact that we talk to each other on a daily basis and hangout sometimes. For me solitude kinda sucks, but is necessary to keep from being dependent on others for everything. Others would view this differently, but this is just how I feel. Now about romantic relationships, they can help you grow, but at the same time they can make you feel worthless and crappy about your life. I’ve never been in a romantic relationship before, so I don’t really know much about this topic, but seeing as how I have survived High School without being Romantically involved with someone, I don’t think it is completely necessary nor important to have one. I mean sure it helps, but most couples in High School don’t stay together even when they try to do everything (such as planning about college and other things) together.

So many people prefer to live in drama because it's comfortable. It's like someone staying in a bad marriage or relationship it's actually easier to stay because they know what to expect every day, versus leaving and not knowing what to expect. Ellen DeGeneres I am convinced that material things can contribute a lot to making one's life pleasant, but, basically, if you do not have very good friends and relatives who matter to you, life will be really empty and sad and material things cease to be important. David Rockefeller Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live. Marcus Aurelius