Written by: Gaya Izik, 12th Grade, Ahava BBG #2447.
Being a senior during a pandemic… now where to start with that. I know from experience that being a senior can be intimidating, and even scary at times, but I am here to give you all tips and tricks I wish I had known before I started my senior year.
Tip #1: Don’t stress over things you can’t control
I am known to be a perfectionist and a control freak from time to time, but the one thing I really had to learn was to forget about and not stress over the things that are out of my control. Life is about living and learning, and we cannot be expected to know everything all the time! For example, if you are taking leadership opportunities in BBYO, you don’t always get what you want, and that’s okay because you can still prosper without a title, or even a different one, even though sometimes that is a lot to take in.
Tip #2: You only have one life, so live it the way you want to
In high school, the biggest thing people need to realize is that everyone’s goals and experiences are different and that’s okay. Just because one person is good at something, it doesn’t mean you need to be good at it too. You can do things you enjoy and thrive in instead, and you can be just as happy and fulfilled in life. It’s your life to live, and you should live it the way you want to!
Tip #3: You can always change your decisions, and one decision doesn’t define you
Throughout the last 4 years, my career path has changed 8 times. I wanted to be a surgeon, teacher, accountant, lawyer, and so many more. I had to learn and understand that it was okay to keep changing my mind, and it’s okay to have a different goal from time to time. Just because you go into highschool with one goal, doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind or try something else.
Tip #4: Take risks and every opportunity that comes your way
During my years in BBYO, I was so fortunate enough to hold so many positions and leadership opportunities, and looking back now I wish I would have started taking things on earlier. Now, I know that I didn’t because I was scared I wasn’t going to get the position or the role, but I also understand that the more risks I would have taken, the more opportunities and roles I could have had. So if you are second guessing yourself, take a pause, and go snatch that position!
Tip #5: Take time for yourself – take care your mental health and your mental well being
If you could take one thing away from this entire article, I recommend that it be this final tip. In highschool and in life, my mental health has fluctuated and has been a constant issue for me to take care of. I tend to worry about other people instead of myself, and I wish that I would have listened to my body when it told me I needed a mental health break. Take a second today and write down 3 things that make you happy, and repeat this every time you feel that you are stressed out or you need a break!
BBYO has been my home for the last 5 years and I am so grateful that I can leave knowing I made a mark on my community, and I hope that you take these tips and use them. I hope this will help you evolve into the amazing BBG or Aleph you are and can be. As I leave I hope all the non-seniors reading this will take care of the organization that has given me so much, and that has allowed me to grow and adapt to this crazy world in these crazy times.
Pictured: Some of the seniors at our recent Seniors Night event.