The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

Living on your own time

We live by the clock.

When the bell rings at exactly 9:13 a.m., I know that almost every student in the school will get up out of his or her desk, regardless of whether or not the teacher is done talking, and head out the door. Some will swing by the SAC to chat with their friends. A few will make a beeline to the cafeteria or vending machines for a quick snack. Others will set off for the nearest bathroom. One way or another, they will make it from their 2-3 class to their 4-5 class, give or take a few tardies, by 9:23 a.m.

Ten minutes. Ten minutes to do what we want.

Oftentimes, we’re given a starting and ending point, but it’s up to us how we spend the time in between. While we have no problem utilizing the time for ourselves during passing periods in school, when we bring it to the bigger picture of our lives, we have trouble applying the same principles. It’s much easier to follow other people’s decisions and expectations about how to spend the time rather than create our own plans. However, easy doesn’t mean right. The right way to use the time is different for everyone, and in the end, the time is yours and yours alone.

Looking back on my own time in high school, I realize I spent the majority of it trying to please others. I didn’t know how to use my time as I wanted, and it was much easier to uphold a reputation of supposed perfection and success that I already had than to create a new one for myself by letting go of some of the activities, devoting myself to others and finding a passion in ones I may not have expected. In order to meet others’ expectations, I tried to do everything and excel in everything that I did. By senior year, I had too many leadership positions and other commitments to spend as much time on activities as I wanted and as my responsibility required. As I became overwhelmed with too many activities for 24 hours in a day, it became apparent to me which activities I actually enjoyed and were worth my time.

Although it’s late in my high school career to have realized that I was using my time for others, I believe it’s not something to regret having gone through. I have no idea how much of an impact my words will have on you when I tell you this, and maybe you’ll have to experience it for yourself to understand, but use your time the way you want to use it. Realize how precious and irreplaceable your time really is. As much as your friends, family and others may influence you, never let them decide how you spend your time. Accept their advice and know that they have the best in mind for you, but realize that ultimately, it’s your choice.

That being said, know that how you use your time has consequences. Your time is finite, and every moment does count. Each decision you make with your time can have good or bad results and therefore should not be made carelessly. And when a decision does go astray, accept responsibility for what occurs. While your time is your own, it affects other people and the time that they have too.

For that reason, be thankful to the people who have used their time on you. Be thankful to your parents who’ve spent time staying up late and worrying when you don’t come home by curfew. Be thankful to your teachers who’ve spent time going over material outside of class when they have their own stack of papers to grade. Be thankful to your friends who’ve spent their time to listening to your complaints when they have their own. And be thankful to so many others.

Wherever you are in your high school career, remember that it’s your time. Even if it means straying off the path and going the opposite direction of people’s expectations, if you believe that it’s right, go for it. Start living on your own time.