I wish I would have . . .

I have spent approximately 1300 days in high school, and with approximately 20 days left until graduation I thought I would reflect on my time in secondary education and develop a list of five things I wish I had done.

1. Passed two AP tests
Throughout my high school career, I have taken eight-and-a-half AP classes, and taken the exam for seven of those. Between the four I took sophomore and junior year, I only passed one AP exam with a passing score of a three. I wish I had put more time and effort into studying so I could have passed more of the tests and received more college credit.

2. Got a job
Despite my parents wishes for me to focus on school rather than work, I wish I had had a job during high school. Sure, I babysat occasionally, but what I really wanted was the constant flow of money that I earned. During my four years in high school, my parents always supplied me with money when I needed it. I greatly appreciate that, but I wish I had a job that did not consist of cleaning the dishes and doing the laundry.

3. Took more pictures
Of the four years in high school, I have probably only taken photos at a few important events. Furthermore, my photography skills are not the best and most of them were taken on a phone. If I could go back in time, I would have always had a camera with me to document my favorite moments as a state officer, editor-in-chief, and a student.

4. Applied to Harvard
If there is anything I have learned during high school, it’s that you never know if you don’t try. I wish I applied to Harvard during November of my senior year. It’s not that I want to go there; it’s that I want to see if I would have been accepted into Harvard University’s Class of 2016.

5. Didn’t dye my hair
In May of my freshman year at Palo Verde High School, I dyed my hair. Since then, I have continued to damage my hair monthly by dying my hair to avoid my blonde roots from showing through. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have dyed my hair. Though I do not like my “dirty” blonde color, the upkeep over the past three years has been enough to make me regret my decision to permanently dye my hair.

I may not be able to go back in time to re-do parts of my high school experience, but I did have a great time while it lasted and am leaving high school having fulfilled many of my goals.