I’m not qualified to give life advice.

Life advice often comes from the wisest, oldest, and most educated people in each community:

our grandparents, professors, and spiritual gurus.

I, on the other hand, am not the wisest, oldest, or most educated person in my community. But

sometimes, we benefit from a new perspective -- someone who isn't a grandparent, professor, or

spiritual guru. So here's the Life Advice of a 16-year-old High School Senior:

Punch Every Wall You See

Three materials make walls: paper, wood, and concrete. When life presents you with a paper

wall, one punch is enough. Punch wooden walls more than once; when my district administration

hesitated to let me take Chemistry over the summer, determined communication and cooperative

problem-solving cleared the way. Now, Sachem students can take credited summer classes.

Concrete walls are unique. Don't challenge a concrete wall alone; others will punch the wall with

you. Together, my fellow Class Government officers fight more concrete walls than I ever could

alone.

Every wall represents a challenge -- an opportunity to grow. By facing each challenge headfirst,

I'm more persistent and purposeful.

Become a Pinball

Bounce around life like a pinball, exploring and cultivating your interests. The physical and

emotional miracles I observed while shadowing reinforced my love for medicine. Cancer center

volunteering piqued my interest in patient care. Despite gloomy diagnoses, patients always made

me smile. It was a profound experience of unyielding positivity. National DECA competitions

emphasized the importance of effective communication and organization, inspiring my

competitive spirit and newest passion -- management.

Diverse interests with deeply personal roots build fascinating people. Through my pinball-esque

exploration, I've become a more interesting person with a newfound depth of personality.

Go to the Gym

The gym is the community's melting pot. Lifting weights, listening to music, and exercising with

friends is the ultimate cathartic experience. The universal goal -- self-improvement -- builds

cohesion between varying opinions, styles, and personalities. This diversity has presented me

with my most valuable opportunities. For example, lifting with teachers introduced me to

volunteer tutoring, and lifting with the CEO of Stony Brook Hospital led to a future summer

internship.

As a judgment-free zone, the gym taught me to talk to everyone. Every conversation brings a

new opinion, opportunity, or exercise. As a result, I'm more social, open-minded, and healthy.
Burn Hand Sanitizer, Not Bridges

During a summer Chemistry lab, our hand sanitizer burned green. I was livid. Ivan used the

wrong compound; we'd have to miss dinner to finish. But as Ivan and I shuffled around, joking

with Mr. Olsen and balancing chemical equations, my anger dissipated. I recognized Ivan's

friendship was infinitely more valuable than dinner. Eventually, our sanitizer burned blue, and

we passed.

Don't lose friends over minor issues. My friends are worth their weight in gold, and I'll always

cherish my relationships with them.

Find a Life Motto

"Good enough is not your best, and your best is never good enough."

This motto defines me. I've resolved to try my hardest in everything I do. I'm happiest when I

wholly apply myself to class, the gym, or my relationships. This same motto has motivated me to

be constantly better. Defined by my academics, interests, friendships, and challenges, I revere the

cycle of betterment. Through self-improvement, I've taken pride in my identity.

A life motto is a healthy way to compare my past and present selves. By improving myself, I

have a less-critical relationship with myself and a passion for self-growth.

As I conclude high school, I can reflect on the lessons I’ve learned while also looking ahead. In

the next four years, I'll punch new walls, explore my passions for medicine and management,

and enjoy the diversity of the campus gym. College will also bring new life lessons, knowledge,

and personal growth. And, at the end of my journey, I can't wait to share the Life Advice of a

21-year-old College Graduate.