What’s up future lifers. I was once in your shoes and before I leave for college, I wanted to leave you guys with some advice as you move into the higher ranks of OP. 

First, I wanna tell you guys to be open. Be open to meet new people; be open to trying new things; be open to having fun. People think freshmen year can be intimidating with new students coming to school, but this is a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Almost all of my friends now are kids I met as a freshman. Keep your friendships now, but expand them next year. It will help you in the long run. 

Second, be open to trying new things. As a middle schooler, I never ran a single day in my life but I joined the cross country team as a freshman to try something new. Little did I know that this decision would help me create friendships that have lasted through high school and will last through college as well. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new; who knows, maybe you’ll find something new that you love. 

Finally, be open to having fun. Oratory Prep is special in that you can have a successful combination of work and fun at the same time. Mess around with your friends and mess around with your teachers (in moderation of course). Life is so much more enjoyable when everyone around you is happy and having fun. School doesn’t have to always be about learning from a textbook — that was something I learned by the end of my years at high school. 

They really don’t lie when they say high school goes by fast. Looking back, I wish I cherished more time with my friends. My one final piece of advice is to leave high school with no regret. You guys are all very young and now is the best time to make lifetime memories. You get out what you put in and that holds true for Oratory. Make sure to make the most of your 4 short-lived years here at OP, they truly will go by in a blink of an eye.