Seniors impart their wisdom

For many people, big changes can be pretty daunting, and it’s all too easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and hypotheticals of a new situation. As the school year draws to a close, young students may find themselves stricken with a creeping sense of dread at the back of the mind when it comes to thinking about next year. Harder classes? Different teachers? New schedules? If you find yourself overwhelmed with unknowns, look to this year’s graduates who, before opening up a new chapter in life, reflect on the last four years to offer advice.

Plan ahead

Making big decisions can be tough, especially if you don’t know what the future holds. Develop a plan for all four years of high school to quell these anxieties when scheduling season rolls around.

Put yourself first

Burnout is one of the worst things that can happen to a student, no matter the age or class. Mitigate this risk by consciously planning time for yourself, making sure to eat well and hydrate, and staying active.

Keep a schedule

Students often have to juggle a number of contending aspects of life like school, work, extracurriculars and personal life. Keeping a schedule can make it a little easier by budgeting ahead of time for all these different activities. 

Know your priorities

Understanding what’s important to you can be the key to handling stressful situations. When there’s too much to do and not enough time, begin with the things that are most important and go from there. 

Respect your own limits

“Doing your best” doesn’t mean pushing yourself to the max. It means allotting as much energy as you can to one thing while still leaving enough for other, equally important things. Give only as much energy as you can afford.

...But know when to go beyond them

While knowing your limitations and staying within them keeps you from overworking yourself, sometimes things pile up, and you have to give 110%. Know when to do so and when it’s time to stop for rest.

Take breaks

It’s impossible to pour from an empty pitcher. If you find yourself feeling expended or exhausted, it may be a great time to pause, get a snack, some water, and stretch your legs. 

Rest productively

Just like the body, your brain needs exercise too! Expending mental energy can help improve and restore focus. Try finding a few enjoyable things that also make you think creatively, like puzzles, strategy games or textile crafts, for example.

Rest unproductively

While being active can be a great way to rest, many students are pressured to value constant productivity, even in times of leisure. It’s important to take time to rest the body and mind- Nothing of quality comes from exhaustion.

Leave the back-door open

When working with long term projects like essays due in multiple weeks or a presentation over multiple days, it can be difficult to return and keep working. One way to jump back in easily is, before walking away from a project, choose a starting point so you know where to begin when you return. 

Half points > No points

Perfectionism enables procrastination, and it’s better to turn in unfinished work than no work at all. When things stack up, sometimes the best strategy is to keep moving rather than waste time and energy on old assignments.

Ask for help

If you find yourself mired in late work or losing sleep for an upcoming test, remember that your teachers are there to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it! Communication is one of the most important skills to have.

Be an appropriate amount of serious

Some people don’t take high school seriously enough, and some people take it too seriously. Let loose when you can, and lock in when needed. It’s up to you to gauge the appropriate amount of seriousness.

Most importantly...You’ve got this!

Have confidence in yourself! You have what it takes to push through, so keep going! You’ll be at the finish line before you know it. Have fun, work hard, and believe in yourself.

by Grey Zahner

Published May 19th, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue VIII