15 Jul 2018

I learnt a lot throughout my time at high school. I learnt that I really liked art, that I hated maths and how to stress about studying. I learnt what the powerhouse of the cell was and that if I left an essay to the last minute that I could smash out a thousand words in a late night scramble. I learnt who my friends were, how to structure my day around a periodic bell and just how late I could be without being marked absent. But then I left.

Finishing high school is strange. The structure that once consumed you is now gone, and so are the classes, and the recesses, the hash brown rolls from the canteen, and maybe some friends. But you’re also faced with so much time to think, to explore who you are, who you want to be and to learn all the things about the world that school just didn’t have the capacity to teach.

1. How to be alone

Being alone is something that you have to be comfortable with. After first leaving school, the isolation you feel is almost instant. You’re sitting at home, still working your one-shift-a-week job, wondering why the time is dragging and dragging. This will pass, but not without some adapting. Read a book that isn’t on the syllabus. Get some more work, money is fun and now is one your only chances to spend it however you like. But most importantly, remember just because it doesn’t feel like you know what you’re doing right now, you’ll find your structure, just give yourself a chance.

2. The power of making decisions

When you’re in school there’s not much room to really change the game in terms of how everything’s structured. After graduating, this completely changes and you having the power to decide when and where and what you want to do. Whether that be work, travel the world or anything in between. Whilst this can be liberating, it also adds a pressure to not f*ck up. It sucks getting stuck into a job you hate, and it sucks even more screwing up a holiday. You need to remember that this can and might happen, but you have to keep a level head, and think of how much time you have to do things differently.

3. What it’s like leaving behind friends

Your friendship circle in high school is protected by the fact that you’re forced to see each other five days a week. The people you see day in and day out make up your whole world. Once you graduate, the amount of time you see people changes and honestly, the way you feel about them does too (in good ways and bad). You have to truly realise who is good for your new, post-school life, and who is bringing a toxicity that you’d do better without. Cherish your high school friendships, but if they’re not doing any good, don’t be afraid to say goodbye.

4. That it’s going to be a while before you feel like an ‘adult’

Throughout my whole childhood, I thought one day, once I’m out of school and 18, there’ll be an overwhelming feeling of maturity and security I’ll be magically given. As more and more days pass of being technically an adult, that feeling of knowing what you’re doing isn’t quite there. You’re never going to know if a job will be completely for you. You’re never going to know if the next step in life is the right one. You’re going to screw up. Yet, the unpredictability of this and everything else you’ll learn after high school is thrilling.