How to Do High School Well

The students pictured are the Class of 2014 Valedictorians, who offered advice to younger Spartans. (Top row, from left) Joseph Kwak, Weijie Cheng, Katherine Mavergeorge, Ben Riedel, Brian Quinlan, Alison Utz, Ahmed Butt, Sarah Davis, Mary Kate Goss, (middle row, from left) Annie Ye, Emily Crawford, Zeriba Jahangir, Christy Zhang, Hernan Cepeda, Libby Gahn, Meg Mathias, Annie O’Keefe, Abby Brown, Katherine Kennedy, (bottom row, from left) Elaine Parizot, Anya Vaporciyan, Taylor Troutman, Phillip Chen, Eila Motley, Sarah Finklestein, Caroline Kelly, Anna Bergersen (Not pictured: Nathaniel Barbour, Hannah Lindsey, Justin Raine). Photo Credit: Rebecca Williamson

As the 2014-2015 school year begins, we take a look back at advice from the Class of 2014 Valedictorians about school, social life, and making the most of our four years at Stratford High School.

Strategies for Success

“Try to do really well each 6 weeks because by the end of the semester, you’re not going to try as hard.” -Christy Zhang

“Stay focused and don’t give up. When applying to college, you might regret that one test you decided not to study for.” -Ben Riedel

“Show you are making an effort in class anyway you can. Ask the teacher a lot of questions, stay after class and after school even for a short amount of time. Not only will you gain respect from your teachers, you tend to receive hints others may not—if you put in effort, the teacher will too.” -Emily Crawford

“Take any and all extra credit a teacher gives you.” -Annie O’Keef

“Work to your fullest potential and have fun, you never want to look back and think you could’ve done something different.” -Meg Mathias

“DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.” -Abby Brown

“Keep an open mind and try new things, you never know what you are passionate about until you try it!” -Mary Kate Goss

Outside the Classroom

“Do clubs, make friends, meet people. There’s nothing worse than being too afraid to talk to people… The more you practice the better you’ll get.” -Sarah Davis

“Don’t blow off your classes the first few years but also find time to have a social life. Don’t stress yourself out!” -Taylor Troutman

“High school has been a wonderful experience. However, if you’re like me, you might’ve focused on schoolwork a little too much…You don’t have to be the perfect student, as long as you are satisfied with what you did and where you’re headed! Know what you are living for.”-Joseph Kwak

"Learn the balance between a social life and school; it’s a fine line but it’s worth finding.” -Hernan Cepeda

Taking It All In

“Take an extra second to be thankful for all that’s in your life right now. It goes by way too fast.” -Katherine Mavergeorge

“Enjoy every aspect of high school because it goes by so fast. In forty years you’re not going to remember being tired, but you will remember spending time with your friends and going to school events. Soak it up.” -Katherine Kennedy

“Relax! It’s easy to get stressed and blow through your four years of high school without ever having fun (or sleeping).” -Hannah Lindsey