A moment of reflection: 12 lessons from 12 years

I still remember sitting at my little desk as a kindergartner stacking blocks, thinking that having 12 years left in school was an eternity.

As I stand on the doorstep of my high school graduation, I realize that “eternity” has whizzed by.

My educational journey has been an awesome experience, but unconventional. I was homeschooled through ninth grade, then transitioned to a small Christian school. I am incredibly thankful for my education, and as I prepare to step into a new chapter, I feel fully equipped for what’s ahead.

In honor of finishing 12 years of school, here are 12 things I learned and hope to carry with me:

1) Work hard when no one is watching.
When I was homeschooled, my mom ingrained in me the importance of holding myself accountable and being diligent. It is easy to work hard when someone is watching, but it is much harder when alone. Without someone consistently watching me do my school work, cutting corners would have been easy, but it also would have cheated me out of a job well done.

2) Complaining is like a forest fire.
When I started high school, I noticed how quickly complaining spreads. One frustrated comment can turn into a room full of negativity in minutes. It’s easy to get caught up in that mindset, especially when dealing with things outside our control.

3) You never know who needs a friend.
There are people who need someone to be kind to them. You never know what someone is going through, and a simple smile or short conversation can mean more than you realize. I realized this at my high school lacrosse senior night. I never knew I had touched so many people by just smiling at them. Small gestures can have a lasting impact.

4) Our moments of weakness can become moments of strength.
In life, challenges are inevitable. There are highs and lows. For instance, the poppies in Flanders Fields only grew after the ground was disturbed. I have started to see that some growth works the same way; what feels like disruption can also be preparation.

5) Be prepared to swim upstream.
Sometimes it is better to stand alone. Doing the right thing doesn’t always come with a crowd. Holding to your standards and being confident in what you believe, even when it’s not popular, is often difficult, but almost always worth it.

6) The little things matter.
The ordinary, everyday tasks are often what set us apart. People notice when you go the extra mile. Doing hard things, especially when I don’t feel like it, builds discipline. We live in a time full of convenience, but there is a different kind of satisfaction in doing something well and seeing it through. As my dad would say, “If you are going to wind up the hose, do it neatly; don’t just leave it a mess.”

7) Don’t put it off until later.
This lesson came the hard way. When you are supposed to take quizzes for an online class but don’t feel like doing them, putting them off “for later” can mean forgetting them entirely. Delaying things often creates more stress and takes more time than doing them when you are supposed to.

8) Don’t stop climbing.
Life is full of mountains. Challenges come in many forms, but it is important to never give up. When I was about 5 years old, we went on a small hike. The sun was setting and my mom considered ending the hike early, until I said, “Mom, sometimes you just have to climb the mountain if you want to see what is on the other side.” Like the sunset view waiting at the top of that hike, there is always something beautiful when you persevere.

9) Be respectful.
Some people are harder to get along with than others. We don’t have to agree with everyone, but showing respect still matters. I have had my share of disagreements with teachers, but I am so glad I addressed them respectfully because it allowed the situation to be resolved without any bad outcomes. Listening and responding thoughtfully are important, even when you disagree.

10) Be selfless.
In a time of immense focus on self, I’ve found that it’s meaningful to look outward as well. Shifting the spotlight onto others and looking for ways to help and encourage often brings a deeper sense of fulfillment.

11) People want to help you succeed.
I am the type of person who tries to carry all the groceries into the house in one try. I naturally do not like to ask for help. But in my experience, people genuinely want to help you, especially teachers and coaches. When I’ve reached out about assignments and grades, they have been willing to work with me and give me opportunities to improve.

12) Don’t grow up — it’s a trap.
There is value in not rushing to grow up. Time moves quickly, and it only seems to speed up. Take time to slow down, to play outside, build a fort, walk barefoot in the grass, look up at the stars or build a snowman. Twelve years ago, I thought time could not go fast enough, but now I wish it would slow down.

Every day is a gift and an opportunity to learn something new. My K-12 education has taught me more than just math and grammar. It has taught me lessons about character that I will carry with me into the future, and I know I still have much more to learn.

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Gracelyn Schmalz is a high school senior at Christian Center School.

    Gracelyn Schmalz, age 4, on the first day of preschool, Sept. 11, 2012.