In my four years of high school, I’ve learned that it’s not really what school you go to, what club you’re in, what sport or extra curricular activity you participate in, etc. It matters who you are in high school. The kind of goals that you have are what will shape who you become, they will shape your future. Stick to doing what you love to do, and don’t let anybody tell you not to do that thing that you love.

I told myself the very beginning of my freshman year that I didn’t want to grow up and look back regretting things I could’ve done in high school. So I told myself, why not play tennis even though I was terrible. Why not be on the ambassador club because it looks good on your applications to colleges. Most importantly, I did what I love, I played volleyball. All the countless hours of practice, the fundraising, the struggle with the friendships of teammates and hating my coach was all worth it, because I was doing what I loved to do.

The most important advice I could give anyone at all, would be to do what you love and what gives you the most happiness. Wherever you are in the world, if you go to high school, make the best out of it. School is school, and it’s as simple as that.