finding an “outlet” will help you get through high school, by IT
This article was written for yooou! by 17 year old, IT.
My name is Ivanna Trevino, and I am a high school senior. High school has not been easy, and the world that has gone through high school can testify for me.
Around 33% of those students (including myself) have a different perspective on the typical “high school experience” and that is being involved in a sport. Becoming a student-athlete has completely changed my high school experience.
High school might seem challenging enough for rising students and this might unmotivate you to not want to join something that will take up so much of your after school time like a school sport.
Surprisingly many students have had a similar experience to me about being a student-athlete, and that is the ability to “escape.”
Horseback riding isn’t the typical sport a high school student wants to involve themselves in, but it is what called my name.
Although my sport might seem very different from school sports like volleyball or soccer, horseback riding has been an outlet for me, just like soccer has been for other students. Being part of a team, whether with a horse or with a group of people, has been more rewarding than an A+ on a test. Taking a break from the mental exhaustion and working my body has helped my stability in school.
An outlet has been my key to “surviving” high school.
High school is known for being messy or chaotic, and having a consistent outlet has helped me more than I can explain.
The best thing about having an outlet like a sport is forcing yourself to leave everything affecting you mentally behind so that it doesn’t hinder your performance. That opens your perspective on the issue and lets you come back with a more open mind.
Having an outlet can mean anything. It can mean going on a hike at your nearest trail or making sculptures in your ceramics class. Whatever it is, an outlet needs to be where you can let go and be yourself. It is where you can eliminate those feelings of frustration or anxiety that surround you during school.
My most significant advice is to try different things and find your outlet.
If you are worried that a sport might take too long, I urge you to try it. Enjoy the opportunity you have to escape reality even if it’s just for an hour or two. High school is where you begin to learn about yourself, so don’t be afraid to try new things and find a pastime that you truly love.
