Statements & Advice from MHS graduates
“If I knew then what I know now…”
Work Hard
“I would tell myself to develop good habits early, such as ways to study and time management, to ensure that I am ready when I have to take on more difficult junior and senior classes.”
“Start your work as soon as you get an assignment.”
“Stay organized throughout high school. While this may not sound like much, organization is a vital part of turning assignments in on time and being a ‘good student.’”
“I would get my work done first, then have fun.”
“One of the biggest traps you can lay for yourself (and I did) was to think that just because work isn’t checked means you should blow it off– that attitude cost me dearly in more than a couple of classes, and now more than ever I wish I could go back and fix that mistake.”
“Do not get behind in school, or you will have trouble catching up. It is always tough to dig yourself out of a hole, so if you succeed from the start you will be all set.”
“Don’t procrastinate. Don’t. Do. It.”
“You can’t wait for senior year to make it all happen.”
“Your effort is like a snowball effect. If you do well in one class, you will continue to do well in the future. If you don’t, things will get harder. Freshman year is the foundation of your high school career so start well if you want to finish well.”
“Focus on acquiring good study skills, instead of just cramming.”
“Freshman year counts! Sophomore year counts! Junior year counts! Senior year counts!”
“Taking notes is very helpful in that as you write, you learn.”
“Complete your homework because that helps the teacher understand that you want a good grade.”
“Work hard, but don’t stress too much, things have a tendency to work themselves out as long as you put in the effort. Don’t forget to have fun!”
“Deactivate your Facebook during midterms and finals.”
“I would tell myself to develop good habits early, such as ways to study and time management, to ensure that I am ready when I have to take on more difficult junior and senior classes.”
“Start your work as soon as you get an assignment.”
“Stay organized throughout high school. While this may not sound like much, organization is a vital part of turning assignments in on time and being a ‘good student.’”
“I would get my work done first, then have fun.”
“One of the biggest traps you can lay for yourself (and I did) was to think that just because work isn’t checked means you should blow it off– that attitude cost me dearly in more than a couple of classes, and now more than ever I wish I could go back and fix that mistake.”
“Do not get behind in school, or you will have trouble catching up. It is always tough to dig yourself out of a hole, so if you succeed from the start you will be all set.”
“Don’t procrastinate. Don’t. Do. It.”
“You can’t wait for senior year to make it all happen.”
“Your effort is like a snowball effect. If you do well in one class, you will continue to do well in the future. If you don’t, things will get harder. Freshman year is the foundation of your high school career so start well if you want to finish well.”
“Focus on acquiring good study skills, instead of just cramming.”
“Freshman year counts! Sophomore year counts! Junior year counts! Senior year counts!”
“Taking notes is very helpful in that as you write, you learn.”
“Complete your homework because that helps the teacher understand that you want a good grade.”
“Work hard, but don’t stress too much, things have a tendency to work themselves out as long as you put in the effort. Don’t forget to have fun!”
“Deactivate your Facebook during midterms and finals.”
"…you learn way more when your teacher pushes you and demands
more of you…give your teachers a
chance.”
more of you…give your teachers a
chance.”
Classes
“I would encourage Freshmen to take classes they will find interesting and challenging, but to also be aware of other commitments.”
“If you are eligible to take an honors class, don’t hesitate to try it. It’s easier to move down a class than it is to move back up.”
“Teachers here are great. They’ll push you and you will get frustrated, but in the end you learn way more when your teacher pushes you and demands more of you; you’ll end up loving it, so give your teachers a chance.”
“My favorite classes and the ones I learned the most in were some of my weakest subjects, but I worked really hard and learned more than I could have ever imagined from those teachers.”
“Take classes that wouldn’t normally think you would have interest in. This is how you learn more about yourself.”
“Each course you take in freshman and sophomore year leads to other courses - and if you don't take the right courses, you can't end up in the higher level and more interesting classes later on, so plan ahead all the way.”
“I would try classes outside of my comfort zone to get a full understanding of my interests, abilities and ideas for the future.”
“Teacher placement recommendations are usually accurate. If they think you can handle it, take the class. If they don't recommend you for an honors class, trust that they know what they are talking about.”
“I would encourage Freshmen to take classes they will find interesting and challenging, but to also be aware of other commitments.”
“If you are eligible to take an honors class, don’t hesitate to try it. It’s easier to move down a class than it is to move back up.”
“Teachers here are great. They’ll push you and you will get frustrated, but in the end you learn way more when your teacher pushes you and demands more of you; you’ll end up loving it, so give your teachers a chance.”
“My favorite classes and the ones I learned the most in were some of my weakest subjects, but I worked really hard and learned more than I could have ever imagined from those teachers.”
“Take classes that wouldn’t normally think you would have interest in. This is how you learn more about yourself.”
“Each course you take in freshman and sophomore year leads to other courses - and if you don't take the right courses, you can't end up in the higher level and more interesting classes later on, so plan ahead all the way.”
“I would try classes outside of my comfort zone to get a full understanding of my interests, abilities and ideas for the future.”
“Teacher placement recommendations are usually accurate. If they think you can handle it, take the class. If they don't recommend you for an honors class, trust that they know what they are talking about.”
Get involved – Find your passion!
“If I knew that high school is what you make of it, I would have gotten more involved in participating in school activities sooner.”
“Don’t join a bunch of groups/activities that you are not interested in, but instead join fewer that you may be really passionate about and excel in those.”
“There are countless ways to get involved in sports, drama, music, community services, and other organizations both in and out of school, but it is also important to maintain a balance.”
“I would tell Freshmen now that even if they are considering joining a club, just do it. You’ll never know if you don’t like it unless you try it.”
“Join teams and clubs because you love them. Dedicate yourself to your clubs. Don't just sign up to fluff your resume.”
“I would also encourage them to participate in extracurricular activities because I met some of my best friends there and it's a great way to meet new people.”
“Do not leave high school with regrets. If there as a class, club, activity or team you wish to pursue, do just that.”
“If I knew that high school is what you make of it, I would have gotten more involved in participating in school activities sooner.”
“Don’t join a bunch of groups/activities that you are not interested in, but instead join fewer that you may be really passionate about and excel in those.”
“There are countless ways to get involved in sports, drama, music, community services, and other organizations both in and out of school, but it is also important to maintain a balance.”
“I would tell Freshmen now that even if they are considering joining a club, just do it. You’ll never know if you don’t like it unless you try it.”
“Join teams and clubs because you love them. Dedicate yourself to your clubs. Don't just sign up to fluff your resume.”
“I would also encourage them to participate in extracurricular activities because I met some of my best friends there and it's a great way to meet new people.”
“Do not leave high school with regrets. If there as a class, club, activity or team you wish to pursue, do just that.”
“Try something unexpected. You may love it.”
Resources
“I would have been more organized with using my agenda.”
“I would take more advantage of Math and Writing Labs. They are so helpful and can really make a difference.”
“I would fully utilize all of my resources at Medfield High School including spending more time with guidance, the math lab and the writing center. I would take more time to thank my teachers on a day to day basis.”
“Do not be afraid to go to your teachers for extra help during reading periods or after school. You will not be a burden on them and often they are excited to see that you really care about the subject and want to succeed in it.”
“If I knew exactly how much the guidance department helped with the whole college process, I would have been there more often.”
“There is no shame in admitting you need some help – whether you need a guidance counselor, a peer tutor, or some extra help in the Math or Writing Labs.”
“Use your teachers as resources.”
“Advocate for yourself. It is not the job of a teacher or parent to get you into the class you want. That’s your job.”
“I would have been more organized with using my agenda.”
“I would take more advantage of Math and Writing Labs. They are so helpful and can really make a difference.”
“I would fully utilize all of my resources at Medfield High School including spending more time with guidance, the math lab and the writing center. I would take more time to thank my teachers on a day to day basis.”
“Do not be afraid to go to your teachers for extra help during reading periods or after school. You will not be a burden on them and often they are excited to see that you really care about the subject and want to succeed in it.”
“If I knew exactly how much the guidance department helped with the whole college process, I would have been there more often.”
“There is no shame in admitting you need some help – whether you need a guidance counselor, a peer tutor, or some extra help in the Math or Writing Labs.”
“Use your teachers as resources.”
“Advocate for yourself. It is not the job of a teacher or parent to get you into the class you want. That’s your job.”
Relationships
“Another thing to remember is that everyone in high school is struggling in some way, and it is important to try to show kindness to everyone because the people who seem to be your enemies are just struggling more than you in finding their way.”
“Talk to the upperclassmen. They are not bullies. Don’t be afraid! They are all nice people and will be glad to get to know you.”
“Your group of friends will change. You are going to make some and lose some. While it may seem like the most important thing in the world, remember it does not matter. The people you talk to now, or don’t talk to, will and do not affect your life and what you will make of your life down the road.”
“The people you meet in high school, whether you like them or not, will be in your rear view mirror before you know it.”
“I would have taken the time to get to know my classmates.”
“Try to make a group of friends that you enjoy being around. Don't try to be someone who you're not.”
“I learned from some friends that it’s very important to keep the best relationships with your teachers as possible. They are more forgiving with missing work, grades, are more available for extra help, and will be much more willing to write you a good college recommendation if you have established a good relationship with them.”
“Don’t let your friends influence your success in high school. If they decide that school really isn’t that important to them, you don’t have to let them bring you down.”
“Be nice to people you may not know or you may not be friends with or think you will ever be friends with, you may be surprised!”
“Get to know not just the kids in the school but also the staff and the teachers. Be friendly. They can really be helpful. Get to know your Guidance Counselor as soon as possible.”
“Another thing to remember is that everyone in high school is struggling in some way, and it is important to try to show kindness to everyone because the people who seem to be your enemies are just struggling more than you in finding their way.”
“Talk to the upperclassmen. They are not bullies. Don’t be afraid! They are all nice people and will be glad to get to know you.”
“Your group of friends will change. You are going to make some and lose some. While it may seem like the most important thing in the world, remember it does not matter. The people you talk to now, or don’t talk to, will and do not affect your life and what you will make of your life down the road.”
“The people you meet in high school, whether you like them or not, will be in your rear view mirror before you know it.”
“I would have taken the time to get to know my classmates.”
“Try to make a group of friends that you enjoy being around. Don't try to be someone who you're not.”
“I learned from some friends that it’s very important to keep the best relationships with your teachers as possible. They are more forgiving with missing work, grades, are more available for extra help, and will be much more willing to write you a good college recommendation if you have established a good relationship with them.”
“Don’t let your friends influence your success in high school. If they decide that school really isn’t that important to them, you don’t have to let them bring you down.”
“Be nice to people you may not know or you may not be friends with or think you will ever be friends with, you may be surprised!”
“Get to know not just the kids in the school but also the staff and the teachers. Be friendly. They can really be helpful. Get to know your Guidance Counselor as soon as possible.”
“Your true friends will love you for who you are. Spend your time being yourself and
working hard to get good grades,
not trying to impress other people.”
working hard to get good grades,
not trying to impress other people.”
the BIG picture
“I would definitely have tried to lead a more balanced life in high school. While college and grades are important, I wish that I could have made more time for my family and my friends.”
“Looking back…I am proud to say as a C1 student, I couldn’t be more excited to attend the perfect college for me. Ivy League isn’t for everyone.”
“Life is not all about performance, grades, and accolades. You will remember those things, but the things you will truly cherish are the memories and experiences you have with the people you care about. Treasure your time in high school because four years goes by so fast!”
“Sleep is more important than homework. Happiness is more important than anything.”
“I would think before acting.”
“One bad test doesn’t affect your future – don’t waste your time dwelling on a few mistakes. Learn from them, and remember the lesson, not the mistake.”
“You need to care and try your best, but enjoy being a kid while you can.”
“You are going to be the one who has to live with yourself, so be yourself, and get used to what that is.”
" I would have looked at high school as more of a growing journey than as a task"
“Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.”
“School is important. Sleep is more important. Sanity is the most important.”
“You will never get these four years back, so enjoy them!”
“I would not worry about what people think of me or how I will be perceived by others. I would start as myself on day one.”
“Never stop asking questions.”
“If you have an idea or a concern, make it known.”
“Set aside what you want to accomplish this year at the beginning of the year and make sure you get accomplished what you want to before time flies by. You can’t turn back the clock.”
“I wish I had known that high school was not going to be this horrible, hard experience to stress out over. You're well prepared for every step you take here so none of the work is overly difficult. It's not totally easy either though. You just have to know how to balance your work-time and your hanging-out time.”
“I would definitely have tried to lead a more balanced life in high school. While college and grades are important, I wish that I could have made more time for my family and my friends.”
“Looking back…I am proud to say as a C1 student, I couldn’t be more excited to attend the perfect college for me. Ivy League isn’t for everyone.”
“Life is not all about performance, grades, and accolades. You will remember those things, but the things you will truly cherish are the memories and experiences you have with the people you care about. Treasure your time in high school because four years goes by so fast!”
“Sleep is more important than homework. Happiness is more important than anything.”
“I would think before acting.”
“One bad test doesn’t affect your future – don’t waste your time dwelling on a few mistakes. Learn from them, and remember the lesson, not the mistake.”
“You need to care and try your best, but enjoy being a kid while you can.”
“You are going to be the one who has to live with yourself, so be yourself, and get used to what that is.”
" I would have looked at high school as more of a growing journey than as a task"
“Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.”
“School is important. Sleep is more important. Sanity is the most important.”
“You will never get these four years back, so enjoy them!”
“I would not worry about what people think of me or how I will be perceived by others. I would start as myself on day one.”
“Never stop asking questions.”
“If you have an idea or a concern, make it known.”
“Set aside what you want to accomplish this year at the beginning of the year and make sure you get accomplished what you want to before time flies by. You can’t turn back the clock.”
“I wish I had known that high school was not going to be this horrible, hard experience to stress out over. You're well prepared for every step you take here so none of the work is overly difficult. It's not totally easy either though. You just have to know how to balance your work-time and your hanging-out time.”