Four years of high school can fly by you like the blink of the eye. All those experiences you’ve felt are now just memories of the past. It really does make one wonder how precious life is. But, enough with the existential crisis talk, it’s always best to live in the present. Today four seniors on the Newspaper team, Adam Parkinson, Alexandra Lee, Astha Rohit, and Katarina Marceta, tell us about there high school experience and what they expect from their future.

Q: What’s something you have taken away from your high school experience? What’s something you would like to take away from college?

Adam: I’ve taken away long-standing friendships and relationships that won’t soon go away. I would like to take the same away from college as well as life skills that can help me for my career in the future.

Alex: Okay. Listen. Like actually liste

n to this. NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOU! High school is turbulent and every person you meet will be completely different. You have to have confidence in yourself and your beliefs to make it through. If someone doesn’t like it, it’s not their life or concern. This is one piece of advice I will remind myself of in college.

Astha: Something I have taken away from my high school experience is how to be more open and social. I was really quiet and reserved a lot of the time before high school. I have learned that it’s good to come out of your shell and meet new people and just have fun! I hope to take away a lot of knowledge from college because my path is information heavy, so I want to learn as I can and use it for the rest of my life.

Katarina: Have a social life! High school isn’t all about grades and homework. While that is important, and you shouldn’t get too carried away with it, make sure to experience life to the fullest! You’re young and should have fun.

Q: How would you like to apply writing into the career that you would like to pursue?

Adam: I would like to use the writing I have learned to get things that require prerequisites before getting accepted.

Alex: So, being a criminologist involves writing a lot of detailed reports on suspects and the cases themselves. If I can make it as detailed and vivid as possible, while also properly formatting and sourcing it, I’ve successfully done my job.

Astha: I am going to pursue a career in the medical career, so most of my writing will be technical and for things, such as lab reports and biological findings. I’m going to use the skills I’ve learned from writing in everyday life along with the occasional writing I will do for my career.

Katarina: Everyone who knows me knows that I’m in love with writing. I’m planning on majoring in journalism.

Q: What’s the biggest obstacle that you had to face during high school? How many times did you have to confront it? Did it take some time to tackle? Is it something you’re still dealing with currently?

Adam: Confidence was the hardest thing for me to tackle through high school. It took a long time for me to get into really talking to people and not just staying secluded in my friend group. I still tackle that today, but it’s much easier.

Alex: My own anxiety, for sure. As someone who used to be a huge doormat and super shy, it was always so hard for me to express myself and have confidence. However, after confronting a lot of my social fears and making amazing friends, I’m more boisterous and confident than ever! I assure you, people, can vouch for that.

Astha: The biggest obstacle I had to face during high school was transitioning from middle school to high school. I had to change a lot of my learning habits and find the best way to tackle a certain class. I think I confront the issue of having to finding new learning habits every year as I delve into higher level courses.

Katarina : My biggest obstacle was and is probably my procrastination. I’ve always been on time with due dates, but my motivation has always been wonky. You just have to power through!

Q: Any advice to give to freshmen?

Adam: The advice I’d give to a freshman is to enjoy the experience and make the most of it. Academics are important, but they aren’t everything. You shouldn’t spend hours upon hours studying day after day. Go out and enjoy yourself and don’t wear yourself out.

Alex: Take it easy, kids. This is the year that you can figure yourself out and really get in tune with your passions and interests. Don’t beat yourself up about the little mistakes and just truck through.

Astha: To live in the moment because it is so true that high school ends in a blink of an eye. Freshman year, join some clubs and find out what you like. Take high school one step at a time. Don’t be too hard on yourself because it is a huge jump from middle school and, it takes some time to get used to.

Katarina: Don’t worry about grades and homework too much. Teachers are super understanding.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

Adam: I honestly have no idea where I see myself in 15 years. I can’t really plan that far ahead, but I really hope I’m some place good that I am enjoying.

Alex: Easy. In a studio apartment in New York City, working for the FBI as a forensic psychologist with a pet ferret and lots of plants.

Astha: I see myself working at a clinic as a hematologist or with a sports team as a sports medicine physician. I want to have my own family in 15 years and travel around the world with them.

Katarina: Working for a travel magazine somewhere in Europe.