SAT scores. Graduation. College. As we dive further and further into high school, we also get closer and closer towards the real world, the world outside of these four walls that we see as our whole life. Teachers, parents, and friends all try to prepare us for what’s ahead, but it doesn’t seem like anyone is preparing us for what we’re going through now. How many times have you heard someone say to you, “You need to get into a good college”? For me, it’s too many times to count. But now think, how many times have people said, “Just make sure you’re happy”? Honestly, I don’t hear those words nearly enough. Everyone seems so convinced that they just need to get through high school and graduate, but the truth is, if you’re going to spend the time going to school, you should at least be happy during it. Too many times we have seen kids walk through the halls with their heads down, looking depressed as can be. Too many times we have heard the school announcements come on in the morning, only to tell us that another student has taken their own life. There is so much pressure throughout our high school careers to be perfect, to get good grades, and to graduate with honors, but there doesn’t seem to be any pressure to just make sure that you’re enjoying your life. Think of it this way – if you aren’t happy with the decisions you make, or with how you spend your days, then how are you going to make it through the rest of your life? How are you going to be successful, if you’re not happy? I understand that grades and school is important. But nothing is as important as your own wellbeing, and I personally feel like everybody is forgetting that, especially as we get closer and closer to being done with high school. Upperclassmen – next time you’re talking to a freshman, make sure that they know to not take things too seriously, and to make sure that they have a good time in high school. Parents – when your child is coming to you, stressing out about their college applications, sit them down and make sure that they know that life will go on, regardless of how good their essay looks, or what school they get into. Teachers – students want to learn. It is actually really rare when a student comes to school not wanting to learn anything that day. If they didn’t want to, they wouldn’t even be there. But you need to make sure that they’re not being overloaded and stressed out about everything going on around them. And finally, take a look in the mirror and look at yourself. Say to yourself, “today, I am going to be happy. I am going to make today the best day yet.” Yes, being successful in life is important, but nothing is as important as being happy with how your life is going. So next time you make a decision, instead of thinking what one will get your farther ahead with school, think of it this way: what one will make you the happiest?