In late May, Putnam City 12th-graders were asked to give advice to the 9th-grade students now entering high school. Their advice was varied and thoughtful. Here’s what they had to say about how to make the high school years turn out for the best:

• Always have the motivation to work hard.
• Take classes seriously. Over the years I’ve realized I have the potential to really accomplish a lot, if only I would put out the effort.
• Don’t listen to what other students say about teachers. There were several classes I didn’t take because I heard horrible things about the teacher. I found out that the teachers were awesome, and I wish I had taken those classes.
• Make sure you get good grades because everything counts now.
• Make sure to take the ACT early because it will help you in the end.
• If you want to be valedictorian, learn the requirements.
• Focus and work hard early so you don’t have to be worrying about your senior year.

• Be very involved. It helps you enjoy school better.
• Get involved and be outgoing! That’s what high school is all about.
• Participate in activities at school. It goes by so fast, and you’ll wish you had done more. It’s four years you can’t ever get back. Take advantage of everything.
• Be involved. High school is more memorable, happy, fun and interesting! Making your school a better, more fun place is life-changing not just for yourself but for everyone.
• Get involved as much as you can. My first two years I didn’t do much, but come senior year I was in a lot. Those are the best times, and you make more friends that way. It keeps you busy and you have fun.

• Your friends will always change, and you will meet lots of new people, so don’t sweat the drama too much.
• Watch out for fake people. You’ll be better off without them.
• Don’t be scared of the upper classmen. They know what it’s like to start high school. They’re great people.
• You shouldn’t worry about what people think. Just be yourself and have fun.

• Set goals and meet them. Plan for college before your senior year.
• Never lose sight of your goals. Always work toward attaining them.
• Get started early on prepping for the ACT and writing essays for colleges and scholarships.
• Start thinking about college early. Apply for every scholarship. I am about to graduate and I don’t have much scholarship money. I don’t know what I am going to do next year in college.

• Don’t be scared. Relax and just have a good time.
• Be happy and keep your grades up. It’ll pay off in the end.
• The freshman and sophomore years are so easy compared to the junior and senior years.
• Make your own decisions because if you make a mistake you learn from it.
• High school is a major step in academics and maturity. Make an effort to grow up while still having fun.
• Live every moment to the fullest because this can be the best part of your life.