How to survive high school | Camille Cooley | TEDxWhitneyHigh

Summary

In this motivational speech, a teenager shares her personal experiences and insights on surviving high school. She humorously reflects on how her expectations of high school were influenced by media like *High School Musical* but explains how real life is more challenging. She outlines three key steps to thrive: jump into new opportunities, get genuinely excited about your passions, and be yourself rather than conforming to societal norms. Through these steps, she emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, embracing mistakes, and defining oneself despite the pressures of high school life.

Takeaways

• 🎤 The speaker begins by setting up expectations about high school based on media portrayals like *High School Musical*, but acknowledges that reality differs.
• 🤯 High school is portrayed as a crucial time that shapes who you become in the future, filled with stress and expectations.
• 📚 The speaker suggests that rather than stressing about academic choices, students should focus on three major principles: Jump In, Get Crazy Excited, and Be Yourself.
• 🚀 'Jump In' means actively exploring interests and trying new things, even if they seem daunting or against others' advice.
• 🔥 'Get Crazy Excited' encourages students to embrace their passions and show enthusiasm, no matter how niche or unconventional the interests may be.
• 💪 'Be Yourself' emphasizes the importance of authenticity over conforming to societal norms or 'coolness' standards.
• 🎬 The speaker references TV shows like *90210* to illustrate how high school issues and experiences have evolved over the years, while some remain the same.
• 🙌 Embracing these three steps led the speaker to meaningful experiences, such as traveling, volunteering, and representing organizations.
• 🔎 The speaker reflects on how society often views teenagers negatively, but argues that adolescence is a time for dreaming, taking risks, and self-discovery.
• 💡 The overarching message is to not let fear dictate your actions or prevent you from pursuing what you love, as each person defines themselves and their future.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial perception of high school?

The speaker initially thought high school would be like *High School Musical*, filled with random dance routines, academic success, and a high school romance like Gabriella and Troy from the movie.

How did the speaker's experience in high school differ from their expectations?

The speaker's high school experience was more challenging and stressful than expected. They didn't have a romantic relationship like they imagined, and they realized high school was about studying hard, dealing with stress, and preparing for college.

What are the three big ideas the speaker proposes for surviving high school?

The speaker suggests three ideas for surviving high school: 1) Jump in and try new things, 2) Get crazy excited about things that interest you, 3) Don't be cool, be yourself.

Why does the speaker emphasize 'jumping in' as their first step?

The speaker encourages 'jumping in' because trying new things allows students to discover their passions. It helps them explore different opportunities and figure out what they truly want to do, rather than being restricted by others' expectations.

What does the speaker mean by 'get crazy excited'?

The speaker encourages people to embrace their enthusiasm for things they love, whether it's Slovakian literature, nonprofit work, or biomedical engineering. By being unapologetically passionate, they believe it will lead to personal growth and community involvement.

Why does the speaker advise against trying to be 'cool' in high school?

The speaker advises against trying to be 'cool' because it limits self-expression. They believe it’s more important to be true to oneself rather than conforming to societal norms, as being authentic leads to greater self-discovery.

What personal experiences does the speaker share to support their points?

The speaker shares personal experiences like becoming a published poet, volunteering in hospitals, and traveling the world—all of which they accomplished by following their three steps of jumping in, being excited, and being themselves.

How does the speaker feel about the portrayal of high school in media like *90210*?

The speaker feels that shows like *90210* are predictable, cheesy, and not entirely realistic. However, they appreciate the show as a time capsule that addresses issues like diversity, sexuality, and academic pressures, which are relevant to today's teenagers.

What does the speaker say about societal expectations for teenagers today?

The speaker mentions that teenagers today are expected to be passionate, optimistic, and hardworking. However, they acknowledge that it's often overwhelming to meet these expectations, and sometimes it's okay to struggle with them.

What does the speaker believe is the most important takeaway from their high school experience?

The speaker believes that high school does not define them, but instead, they define themselves. They see high school as just a stepping stone in their journey of self-discovery and growth.