An Op-Ed piece by Guest Blogger Holden Hartle

Currently I am holed up in my room, studying for a French exam, a history exam, and trying to memorize a monologue all the while wanting to fall asleep. But, I can’t. Or worse, I’m not allowed to. Because if I were to fall asleep, I would fall behind on everything, which leads to failed finals, and starts a spiral of failed everything. Failed classes. Failed goals. Failed dreams. But worst of all, I’ve failed myself.

In all of this, I have set a goal for myself. That goal is a simple one: be happy. That’s it. Ms. Clark says every day, “Set an intention for yourself. Whether it be for an evening, the rest of the week, or the rest of your life.” My intention is to be happy. But, as of late, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to be happy. In fact, I feel the opposite. I feel that if I can’t reach my own goals, what’s the point in doing anything? Why shouldn’t I just leave everything?

High school isn’t about being happy. I am in the process of learning this the hard way. High school is not about the clichés of making friends, joining clubs, and passing classes. It’s tiring. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. But, if you want to be successful, have a job, a steady income, and be happy, then you have to go through this.

If you have similar ideas to mine, then please try to cherish the good moments of high school. These good moments, the times where I can laugh and be myself, keep me going from one day to the next. Go on; make high school a joyful cliché. Go join clubs; go make friends; and go be happy.

Editor: Peter Kadel