To the high school student

I would like every high school student that plans on going to to do a few things for me. First take a lot of AP classes. Learn to speed read and practice it a lot. On your list of AP classes you must take are: AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, and AP Literature or Language (that list is non-negotiable, you may elect to take any extras). Learn to not sweat when writing 10 page papers, because you can do them easily. Learn a word a day. Be eloquent and well practiced in your pronunciation. Practice writing as much as possible! Find a fun, sustainable hobby and stick to it. Read “How to win friends and influence people” and apply it every day. Remember birthdays, names, faces, interests, and people, and become very good at that.

I suppose the list could be longer, but that’s a great way to get started. Oh, one last thing: believe every word you hear about college being better than High School. It is infinitely better in so many ways, High School just doesn’t compare or even come close.