Tricia's Sanctuary

It’s been a while since I started my journey in high school. Sure, two years have passed and this coming term, I’ll be junior already. And in those two years, I’ve learned quite a lot. From friends, teachers, even my relatives.

Of course, first days are always awkward. When I stepped inside the classroom I’ll be in for a year or so, I asked myself what am I going to do. Should I say hi to the ‘new kids,’ or should I just sulk at the back of room? Right then and there, I knew who I was going to be in high school, and what I’m going to do. The only question was… who will be my friends? Now, I’ll tell you the things I’ve learned.

1) I am now capable of making actions and decisions I make. Some of my classmates got kicked out for being reckless or having low grades. I know if the decisions I make are wrong or right, it’s just that I sometimes find it hard to do the right thing.

At least it’s not too late to straighten myself up.

2) Learn to play an instrument, a craft, or something new. I know I’ve been playing the piano for years now. Without it, I don’t what to do when I turn into some sort of wreck at times.

3) Find a teacher, mentor, or a friend you can turn to. A young kid like me chose an adult, not only as a mentor but also a friend. Of course, I didn’t choose mine because he’s responsible, it’s because he can give advice in many matters.

There’s nothing like an old person you can turn to when things get a bit tied up. And I’m not talking about my dad.

4) Be there for anyone who needs help. Even if some are not the sort of people you hang out with. Even if I have problems of my own, I realized that my problems are no greater than anyone else.

I remember helping a friend of mine a year ago, and I was going trough depression at that time (lasted for three months). Of course, I thought she was rather annoying than a pitiful little girl. It came to my mind that the person I’m turning to might think of me as I how I think her. Of course, I’ll help her as much as I can, but sooner or later she should know how to catch her own fish.

And I’m still learning to catch my own.

5) I learned to control my emotions and urges. Controlling different emotional states, such as anger and moodiness, might lead one to consequences. I either control it, or it controls me.

6) It’s good if you have a healthy relationship with your parents. Sure, some of us are in high school and think we can manage ourselves without them. At the end of the day, your parents will be the ones there for you.

And I’m still trying to have this ‘healthy’ relationship with them.

7) Try to learn about the opposite sex (and I’m still learning). And I don’t do this by looking at my dad or brother. I TRY to talk to them, even made a few friends. Not only online, but in real life as well. Hey, you can’t learn something by chatting with my online friends.

I also read books in my spare time, and I sometimes do it in class. I’ve noticed that when some people pass essays, they just write one-liners.

Developing study habits is essential as well (and I still have developing my own). No one likes cramming for exams because they choose to study the day before a test (again, I sometimes do that). It’s either I’m a good student or good crammer. No one can plant a tree and grow it over night.

That’s almost all the things I learned in my two years in high school. And maybe, I can use them later in life.

My classmates when I was a sophomore.

So, got to go! See ya in my next post!