IT’S THE start of a brand-new school year. Fresh notebooks, new schedules, and a whole lot of ‘where’s my class again?’ questions. The class of 2026 is heading into its final stretch, but before seniors cross that graduation stage, they’ve got advice for the rest of the students. Think of it as a cheat sheet for high school survival.
Marely Bahena (12) wants you to skip the drama and the wrong crowd. “Don’t follow the trends just because everyone else does. Be yourself and do what makes you happy,” she said. She says it’s better to be yourself and not please others.
Other seniors shared similar advice about staying true to yourself. “Don’t base yourself on the school education system. Remember that grades and school don’t define who you are,” Alayna Elliot (12) said. “Sometimes high school can make students feel like their worth is tied to test scores or how perfectly they follow the rules. Focus on learning who you are, what you enjoy, and what kind of person you want to become,” she said.
Being confident in yourself is more important than worrying about what others think. Isabella Warner (12) wishes she had been braver during her freshman year. “I want students to try new things, join clubs, and speak up in class,” she said. “I also wish I had cared more about grades from the start. Don’t let fear stop you from doing something new,” she said.
Balance was another lesson seniors shared. Kate Parkison (12) said she used to stress about small things that didn’t really matter. She wants students to enjoy high school while still taking care of their responsibilities. “Join a sport or a club,” Parkison said. “Have fun but don’t overwork yourself,” she said.
Some seniors shared practical advice about schoolwork. Darien Reyes (12) said students should plan their classes carefully to avoid stress later. He recommended taking classes like biology early and trying new electives like mechanical engineering. He also warned students not to push themselves too hard. ¨Work hard, but don’t burn out,” Reyes said.
Beyond individual lessons, the seniors shared common advice. Many wished they had gotten involved in activities sooner, built stronger friendships, and focused more on academics from the beginning. They agreed that mistakes are a natural part of high school, but what matters most is learning from them.
To the classes of 2027, 2028, and 2029, the seniors offer this advice: be yourself, take chances, and don’t let fear or pressure hold you back. High school isn’t about perfection; it’s about growth. Join a team, try a club, meet new people, go to high school dances, have fun, and enjoy the journey because these four years go by a lot faster than you think.
In the end, the Class of 2026 wants underclassmen to remember that high school is what they make of it. If they stay true to themselves, support friends, and focus on what really matters, they’ll leave not just with a diploma, but with memories that last a lifetime.
