When I was an underclassman, I had rigid expectations of myself. Basically, I wanted to excel at everything while giving nothing up. It was only when I heard back from colleges, which felt like the culmination of my high school career, that I realized none of it mattered as much as I thought. Success for underclassman me was a 4.0 GPA and a resume studded with extracurriculars. Now, success is self-confidence, swallowing my pride and allowing myself room to grow, even if that meant sacrificing the external values I held so close earlier.

Here’s the thing about these four years of your life: you’re starting to become the most you you’ve ever been, up to this point. You’re not an adult yet, but you’re not a kid anymore. Being in this awkward, transitory phase affords you the most growth with the fewest possible consequences. After you graduate, your grades, triumphs and downfalls all become inconsequential. Now is your time to take risks and accept failure.

I realize that it’s easier said than done. At the same time, being able to let go meant I had to swallow my pride and ask for help from my teachers, parents and friends. Embracing the aspects of my life that weren’t going perfectly (in part, my Precalculus grade) helped me find new opportunities and a better understanding of myself. It felt crushing at the time, but in the end, I’m still going to attend my dream school in the fall as a writing scholar. More importantly, I’m a better person than I was when I started out at the Valley. All in part thanks to all of the amazing teachers I’ve been so privileged to experience.

Don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and don’t be afraid to change your expectations for yourself. High school is your time to grow and experiment. Make sure to take all the opportunities you can to grow,