High school experiences can be worth missing class

For as long as I can remember, education has always been a top priority on my list, not because of my parents, not because of my teachers; it has always been something I personally highly valued. I’ve always worked to try my best when it comes to academics, putting my full effort and strength into every assignment, project, or test I complete in school. Excelling in school, in my mind, is important to reaching my full potential.

Throughout my four years of high school, this mindset was what led me through every class. School was first, then comes extracurriculars, and lastly, free time to enjoy life. This was the structure I obeyed for the majority of my time in high school, never allowing it to change order. So, when it came to the thought of missing school, even if it was only one period, my mind would go in a frenzy. What new content did I miss? What assignments do I need? What do I need to catch up on? What if I don’t understand?

This became a fear. That’s why I did everything I could to avoid the possibility of missing school. I always pushed appointments to after school or breaks, I always debated whether I could force myself to go to school when I was sick (don’t worry, I never went to school sick), when there were special trips for certain classes, I would be hesitant to go. 

When it came to journalism, before the pandemic, there were always out-of-state conventions that I could attend. Before even considering going, I automatically shut down the idea of going because missing a week of school was not something I ever wanted to consider. However, when I mentioned not considering going to my mom, I got the reaction I never expected. Instead of agreeing with me, she told me I should go and not worry about school. 

After days of debating and worrying, I finally found myself flying to Anaheim, and a few months later, and Washington, DC. Both times, the same fear and worry of missing so much school filled my mind, but after I found myself exploring the two coasts, I realized that I was having the time of my life surrounded by friends. As each day passed, the worries of school left my mind, and I found myself exploring the places that I have come to love. To this day, I still remember the late nights running around Disneyland in Anaheim and freezing my fingers off riding Segways through DC. 

Looking back, I’m glad my mom convinced me to go on the journalism convention trips, as backwards as that sounds. When I think back, I don’t remember the classes or assignments I missed. I’m only left with the wonderful memories I had with my friends going to Anaheim and DC; I get to leave high school with the memories I created with my friends. Sure, academics are very important and should be in one’s priorities list, but it shouldn’t be the number one thing that dictates one’s life. School and grades only make up a portion of one’s life; experiences and memories last a lifetime.