No matter how many times you’ve heard it, it certainly is true—high school flies by as fast as a blink. It honestly seems like yesterday where I walked into this huge school with quivering hands and butterflies in my stomach on the first day of freshman year. Pretty soon, I’ll be walking towards my high school diploma with those familiar butterflies and shaky hands.
Prairie Ridge is an amazing and unique school, even though it may look like a maze to a new kid. Inside and out, this school is unlike any of the others around. Each teacher and student are unique in their own way and always can put a smile on your face.
But for any student going to PR, you need a strategy. Here are some of my tips:
Do your homework! Yes, I know you’ve heard it at least 1,000 times—but it’s the truth. Doing your homework can only put you into the habit of doing it every night, which is very important. When you’re in this habit, 4th quarter of senior year will be a breeze since you still have to do every single assignment if you don’t want to take a second semester final. Oh yea, and of course you’ll get amazing grades!
Take advantage of lunch release! Being a junior or senior means you’re allowed to leave campus for your lunch break, so make sure you know at least THREE people who can drive you out or go with you in your lunch hour! In my opinion, it’s nice to take a break and get out of the school for a half hour or so (besides gym class…). But beware: students who tend to arrive late back to class after lunch release are crazy drivers!
If possible, try to know other students from other D155 schools! Okay, this one might seem weird, but just imagine—double the dances and football games! I went to Cary Junior High for 7-8 grade, and I still kept in touch with my friends who go to Cary Grove. I’ve been to their Homecomings, Winter Formals, football games, and I’ll be going to their prom! It’s nice because you can always have a backup in case you don’t have anyone to go with to a PR activity.
Soak in the time you have here and use it wisely! Prairie Ridge has MANY, MANY fun things to do on Fridays or on the weekend. Football games are TONS of fun during the fall (dress warmly and bring your spirit wear!), and the school plays and musicals are amazing. There are all kinds of clubs that you can have a blast in, and, my favorite, the annual Karaoke for Charity! With all these possibilities, there’s no doubt you will never be bored.
I’m really going to miss this school and walking out of these doors one last time will be really hard since I grew up here. Prairie Ridge helped me figure out who I am as a person and what my future will hold, and hopefully it will for you as well. The teachers here are all different, and during all of my four years here, I never had a teacher that I didn’t like one bit. Each one helped me figure out my personality through their projects and assignments.
I hope you live your high school years to the fullest and with no regrets. That’s my advice. Don’t let stress get the best of you! Enjoy your years here, and if you take my advice, it’ll be just the way you want it to be. Go Wolves!