Chats Over Coffee #1 // Surviving High School

Hello beautiful people!

Isn't my title so creative and original? It came to me in a dream! Okay so not really, but guys I'm not a creative person so if you have a better title, leave me a comment down below. Anyways, I've just adored writing on this blog and having conversations with other bloggers, so I wanted to start a little series where I can chat about different topics with you guys and share my experiences while still being authentic. But that means you have to chat with me too, so don't leave me hanging here okay? Okay,

So this is my senior year in high school/freshmen year in college and it's so weird. For a little recap, my state has a program where high school students can take free college classes that work for both high school and college credits, and you can get an AA degree through it, so it's pretty awesome and not something I wanted to pass up. But even though I'm not going to high school this year, I still definitely feel like I'm in high school and I can't believe it's going to be over soon. It's been funny to reflect on the past four years and think back to when I was almost sure I wouldn't get through it. But guys, I am surviving high school, and you know what? It's not as hard as I thought it was going to be.

i. learn to laugh at yourself

Back in 9th grade, basically anything humiliated me. In Spanish I, I was constantly messing up the pronunciation and every time we had to talk in class, I felt like dying. I just knew everyone was like, "Wow, Elizabeth is so stupid, I can't believe she is in this class." I felt like this for a month or two, until I realized that everyone else also struggled in different areas and I wasn't alone. I learned to laugh at my mistakes and the class stopped being something I was afraid of, and I ended up learning so much! So guys, laughing at yourself is so important. It helps you cope first off, and shows others that you're a boss and don't need to be perfect. But actually, am I the only one who just fails at learning other languages? Because oh my gosh am I bad.

ii. an "f" doesn't mean you're a failure. 

The very first exam I ever took in Biology, I got an F. Never in my life had I gotten an F and I was so devastated. How was I going to pass Biology? How was I going to get into college? Basically, my life was ruined. But do you know what? I corrected my test, did extra credit, and studied harder and I ended up getting an A in that class. So just because you get an F in something, that doesn't mean you're a failure and you can't come back from it. Don't let test scores and essay grades define your intelligence, because that's just simply not an accurate comparison. Work hard, do your best, and try try again.

iii. drama is inevitable 

I'm home schooled/private schooled, but I still ran into drama. It's unavoidable. Whether it's revolved around you, your friends, the person you like, it's going to come into your life and you have the option to get involved or to back out. Now, I'm chosen both options and more often than not, it's a mistake to get involved into drama. Of course, other times you get sucked into it without a choice. Honestly though, people say things just to get reactions and attention from others, so don't give them the satisfaction of getting on board. Just let how you live your life show your character, and the people who matter will realize what's true and what isn't.

iv. be respectable to those in charge

Every time someone complains about a teacher not liking them and how terrible they are, more often than not do I find that the student is actually super disrespectful and distracting to others. This upsets me so much because your teachers and leaders work so hard to help you learn. They spends hours every day just to benefit you and your life, the least we as students can do is treat them with respect and gratitude. You will get so much further when you learn to respect authority and be thankful for the work they put into your life. And you know what? It's okay to be nice to your teachers, say thank you, and have conversations with them. That doesn't make you a "teacher's pet." Don't stop being nice and respectful because your peers are teasing you for it.

v. focus on the lord instead of emotions

This is the most important thing to remember when attempting to survive high school, and really the rest of your life. I'm a very emotion driven person, and a lot of times I'll get on these spiritual highs, where I'm like, "Oh yeah this Christian thing is so great, I just love God and everyone else so much." And when that wares off, I start getting unfocused and I fall into this trap of searching for that high again. But our relationship with God shouldn't be based on spiritual highs, because then when it leaves us, we often fall into into this pit. We go from high to low, from light to dark, and get sorta lost. This is been something I've been struggling with for since I can remember, and I keep having to remember to keep the Lord the center of my focus, and not on how things make me feel. Being a Christian isn't easy, and it says that in the bible. It's a choice we constantly have to make, to live for Him and obey his commandments, whether we love it or not. Remember that while in high school and as you move onto the rest of your life. Remember the bigger picture, and realize when you're focusing on the world or what makes you feel good instead of our Lord and His word. It's okay to feel really great about your relationship with Him, that's awesome, but if you hit a road block, don't let that bring you down. Praise Him through all stages and periods of life.

I know I'm not the only senior on this scary road to graduation and university, how are you all feeling? What tips do you have for surviving high school and what experiences caused you to learn? Leave a comment down below and don't forget to click that "notify me" button so we can continue the conversation.

Have a lovely week!

Elizabeth