6 Things I Wish I’d Done in High School
First published on March 25, 2019
I read and exercised plenty as a teen. However, there are many things I wish I’d done during high school. This is short list of reflection which I hope helps others.
Asked Teachers About Careers and College
I was curious about the benefits of a masters degree up until I graduated with my bachelors. I forgot who told me the simple answer but it was something around the lines of “It’s great for specific career paths – usually management.” Since I’m more tech than management, certifications are more beneficial for expertise. But its still good to know your options.
College Courses
Although I knew nothing about why I should go to college, taking a college level course or two could’ve made great use of my time. It would’ve helped save my GI Bill too.
Learned about Trades
When I was younger, people joked about Job Corps like trades were shameful. Going to college and joining the military were boasted as the best paths post-graduation. Meanwhile, in 2024, master's degrees are dismissed just as casually as bachelor's degrees were years ago. A lot of people today have degrees with little return on investment but high debt. There's nothing shameful about spending less debt and time in school to become an Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, automotive, or construction worker.
Released More Music
I walked around school with my CD player all the time but never gave my music to anyone. I don’t count the Ride ‘Em album. Ten years later, I’m still learning basics about arrangement, mixing, and producing because I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities then.
I have over 50 releases on my Spotify account.
Kept Memorabilia From School
I knew I took horrible pictures. So I wouldn’t take pictures. Problem solved. Years later – no pictures for memory lane. Take pictures. It helps to have something to physically see and touch to support memories.
A Team Sport
In basketball I was a great defender and decent finisher with rough contact for a while. I remember someone at a Suwon basketball court telling me “every team needs someone to play defense.” He’s right. And even today, if I can’t make a basket, I can always block a shot and get my body between the rim and a player.
Network
This seems unnecessary to the social butterflies, but school provides a strict schedule easy for marketers for to take advantage. There were big opportunities to share music and get my name out there. There was a school broadcast I could’ve asked to give a shout-out. A table with instrumental CD’s and a paper for indie musicians to write contact info would’ve gotten attention. I don’t remember the best platforms for sharing music in the early 2000’s but I’m sure there was something. Classes were ~90 minutes of being up under the same group every day. I could’ve shared that CD player a few more times.
Staying with the classroom, I remember a teacher that enjoyed a jazz hop track I made. No idea where it’s at now. There were class projects with enough wiggle room for me to share my passion for music for a grade. I once talked about the history of MIDI in a writing class. I created a song “How to Rap” for another class.
I hope those who come after me learn from my mistakes.
Tags: personal
