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Health & Fitness

High School Students & the "Real World"

Probably the hardest part about entering the "real world" is calling grown-ups by the first names. 

I had my first job this summer - an eight week internship working under the executive team of a pediatric hospital in Maryland Heights, MO. 

At Ranken Jordan Pediatric, I learned plenty of things about "the real world," but, most notably, I learned that eight hours is a REALLY long time. 

This summer, I got my first taste of "the real world" and it's forever changed my perception of life as a whole. Teenagers often complain that high school "sucks," but in reality, it's probably the cushiest time of our lives. It's the one time when we can actually "be ourselves." After that, that oft-quoted nuance will probably fall by the wayside. "Being yourself" in the real world just won't fly. 

After high school, we'll all be actors, some better than others. Being in the real world means being able to sell yourself. Sell yourself during job interviews, sell yourself to customers, sell yourself to the loan company...
In fact, pretty soon, I'll be "selling myself" to the college admission officers. 

I always believe that high school kids shouldn't "try" so hard when it comes to fashion. After all, this is the ONE time during your life when you can dress however you want. After that, you'll be dressing according to somebody else's tastes - in either tailored suits or construction overalls. 

People tell me all the time that my upcoming senior year will be the best year of my life. I don't think it's going to be the "best year..." Most likely it will be a very STRESSFUL year, filled with one reality check after another. Growing up in such a short period of time will be difficult but nessesary. 

Already, I'm gearing up to play the "college game." Applying to college (or so I'm told) is akin to tying yourself to the back of a train and letting reality ensue. 

The work enviorment of my internship was very postive, uplifting and my coworkers were stellar. I had an incredible time working this summer. But the simple fact that EIGHT hours is a long time to be doing something has stuck in my mind.  I've decided that whatever I do with my life...it'll have to be something I absolutely adore. For instance, even if you LOVE to bake cookies, baking them for eight hours straight would be enough to make you want to curl up into the fetal position and weep. 

The real world is approaching quickly and soon I'll have to face it...but as for right now, I'm going to savor these last two weeks of summer. :)

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