Photo Provided by Mia Kennedy ’24

As a senior about to graduate, I have plenty of tips and advice on how to truly enjoy your four years at Rosary!

After 1,461 days of calling myself a Rosary Royal, my time at the Academy is coming to a close, and I feel like I’ve dealt with everything under the sun. From a pandemic to uniform checks to AP classes and everything in between, I’ve had my fair share of experiences and life lessons, and I want to share some of what I’ve learned throughout my time at Rosary. More specifically, any tips that can help Royals, or future Royals, make their time at the Academy just a little more manageable.

1. Please, please, PLEASE do more than just study and do homework.

I know that it’s easy just to lock in and focus on purely academics. With seven classes, work can get overwhelming fast, and you can quickly enter a cycle of nothing but school and homework. But in five years when you’re looking back on your high school experience, you’re not going to be thinking about all the studying you did. Rather, you’ll be thinking of all of the fun memories you’ve made with your friends and the time you spent with them. As Nia Delacruz ‘24 puts it, “I know the academic rigor at Rosary Academy can be a lot at times, but please do not let that take away from the fun of high school because this is an era of your life that you will never get to experience again. That may sound daunting, but it just makes it all the more special. If I learned anything from high school, it’s that these are moments that I won’t get back, so I should take advantage of every second I get.”

2. If you’re going to procrastinate, do it well.

There’s no point in me trying to convince you not to procrastinate. You do it, I do it, it’s an inevitable part of high school, no matter how much we try to deny it. What I will say is that if you’re going to procrastinate, you need to budget your time correctly. Understand that you’re probably going to be staying up late for a few nights, and be prepared (as someone who doesn’t drink caffeine, I highly recommend mint gum and ice-cold water). You also need to know what your brain needs to stay focused, whether it be through music, having movies on in the background, or even frequent breaks. Also, know your limits. If it’s three in the morning and you simply cannot write another word about the book you read in English, please just sleep. Do not undermine your health, as burnout is very, very real, and it will only cause further problems as a result.

3. If you know you’ll be able to drive, get your driver’s license.

Of course, there are circumstances where one may not have a car or simply may not be able to drive themselves to school, but if you know that you’ll be able to drive, I highly recommend getting your license as soon as you can. I didn’t end up getting my license until March of my senior year, and one of my biggest regrets is not driving sooner. The amount of freedom you gain when you can drive to and from school, sports, theatre, or simply hang out with friends is worth taking advantage of while you can. 

4. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others.

Especially for any incoming freshmen, I know it can be daunting to reach out to others at a new school. But in doing so, it only allows you to meet new friends, gain new opportunities, and further enjoy your high school experience. And this goes beyond just classmates or those on your sports team. This can also include teachers. Whether it be through office hours or even by just talking to them, do not be afraid to reach out to them either. I know that they have your grade in the palm of their hands, but I guarantee that classes become far more enjoyable once you get to know both the teacher and the students inside.

Finally, here are some more condensed and short tips that need to be addressed, just not in an entire paragraph:

• Please keep track of your stylus and charger, as losing them will come back to haunt you when you’re a senior (trust me).
• When it comes to world languages, Quizlet is your best friend.
• Attend at least a few football games or school dances.
• Be prepared to either leave the parking lot right after school or fifteen minutes afterward, there’s no in-between.
• Try to go to your zero-period classes (I know it’s hard).
• Attend a Trinitas performance or two (a shameless promotion).
• Always have a dollar or two in your backpack for any bake sale.
• You must buy a cookie from the cafeteria before you graduate. I promise it’s worth it.

Although I’m certainly not going to miss every aspect of high school, I will miss all that Rosary has given me. While I go wither away in college, I hope that my tips can help any Royal (or future Royal) who is reading, and, if you don’t remember anything else, just try and keep yourself happy and healthy during your time at the Academy.