“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question I feel like I’ve been asked a million times. My answer changes almost every time.

For quite a while I wanted to be a candy maker, yes, like Willy Wonka. After that sweet dream had faded, I had my eyes set on professional golf. Which I had quickly convinced myself was ridiculous because of the unescapable opinions of social media and peers.

Now that I am almost halfway finished with high school I wish I had stressed less on my future career. I regret enrolling in classes because I was told they are “good for college apps” and instead I should have been doing what I was truly interested in.

Now that I am almost halfway through high school, I have began to realize my transcript won’t be determining  my future successes and failures. I am secure with myself as a student and also as a hardworker. I don’t need a 5 on an AP exam to make my self-image concrete.

With my 11-year old sister entering middle school this year, she has been asking me what classes she should take. I find myself encouraging her to do what she’s interested in.  I want her to have a different experience than I did, with less stress on what she will do for the rest of her life and live in the moment.

I want her to develop good habits while enjoying the workload she’s going to take on. Secondary school is only a small part of a life you only live once, why not have fun?