The important lessons learned in high school
In high school, history is always repeating itself—and not just because you have to go to the same class every day.
You may have heard that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. This might refer to unfortunate students who fail history and have to repeat it the following year. Or maybe it’s the idea that the patterns of history hold important lessons for anyone who's paying attention.
The Studious Awkward Type
Abraham Lincoln showed us that studious, awkward types can, in fact, be the best presidents. Think of that next time you're voting in the popularity contest (a.k.a. Student Council elections).
Some People Are Hungry For Power
Napoleon demonstrated that some people are just hungry for power. The same is true in high school. Just remember though, the guy who slammed the locker door onto your head will someday meet his Waterloo—possibly in the form of repetitive, mind-numbing minimum wage jobs.
Make Time for Soccer Practice...and Math Team
It's good to play to your strengths, but there's no reason to limit yourself to one specialty. Explore your many talents, as Thomas Jefferson (lawyer, farmer, President, architect) and Leonardo DaVinci (artist and inventor) did.
Alliances and Loyalties Shift
Nobody knew this better than Julius Caesar who was stabbed in the back by former supporters. Your best friend and worst enemy switch places by the time you're seniors? Choose your friends wisely.
Cheaters Don't Prosper
Instead, they end up looking sweaty and disreputable after their past catches up with them. (Think Richard Nixon after the Watergate break-in.) Or, at the very least, they get an SAT math score of less than 300 because they copied their way through algebra and geometry.
Stand Up For Your Rights
People will remember you for standing up for what's right. Rosa Parks got much-deserved respect and a place in the history books for standing (well, sitting) her ground back in 1955. Whether you're standing up for someone below you on the social ladder or trying to make a positive change for your school, the respect and admiration of others may surprise you.
Wait, George Washington Didn’t Chop Down A Cherry Tree?
You may have heard that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and refused to lie about it. This is most likely just a legend—and proves that rumors spread. No matter what nasty or delightful gossip you hear about someone, it may very well not be true. (However, rest assured that high school gossip has a much shorter shelflife than the cherry tree story—most will probably vanish by graduation, if not by next week).
Nearly any historical tidbit you learn about in class can be applied to high school life—try it next time you’re tempted to snooze off in history class!