Explore and find your interests. Push yourself to take that extra course, or try out for the production or choir. But if you don’t find anything you’re really good at, don’t worry; life after high school will bring you a lot more options.

Think long term: If you do have higher academic dreams, and have the opportunity to take AP classes, Cleps, and other tests to receive college credit, go for it. It can really help you down the line and save you time!

There is one strong lesson that I learned in high school that I still live with, over 40 years later. Whenever a tragedy occurred in Klal Yisrael (and in the 1970s that included the Yom Kippur War and terrorist attacks) we stopped everything to go say Tehillim in the auditorium. The lesson of turning to Hashem in a time of tzarah was ingrained in me. I still have images in my mind of my teachers crying, sometimes sobbing, because of the pain of other Yidden.

The second lesson I am still carrying is from the yemei iyun in high school. The school brought in rabbanim to teach us the Torah’s approach to current events and various issues facing our generation. The idea that everything in the world has to be evaluated from a Torah perspective was introduced and reinforced. The idea that Torah is our only guidepost was very tangibly illustrated.

—Mrs. Ora Berger, teacher and mother of post-high school girls

In high school, our hashkafah teacher taught us that if you put an emphasis on paying your tuition bill first, Hashem will give you money for everything else. I worked hard all the years to make sure my kids’ tuition was paid on time. Did we always have money for everything else? No, but I knew that I was doing the best for my kids’ chinuch. Having them turn out baruch Hashem wonderful, is worth all the money in the world!

—Mrs. Ruchel Gold, mother, grandmother, high school teacher

I don’t think I’d have gone into my field (computational biology) if I hadn’t taken an AP computer science class on a whim, and learned that I loved programming. I’d always thought programming was boring and an antisocial kind of subject, but that one class changed my mind.

—A.R., PhD, research scientist

Knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and English definitely helps me all the time. They get me through my career and day-to-day life. As a singer, the Hebrew helps me connect to the Hebrew songs, and a good English helps me communicate with all my clients and fans from around the world!

Also, in 11th grade I was choir head — I directed 16 choirs that year. I realized that singing was, and will always be, my number-one passion! It was great practice for me to learn how to handle stage fright and responsibility as a singer.

—Dobby Baum, singer

I wish there would have been more emphasis on perfect being the enemy of the good and the growth mindset. I am a recovering perfectionist and I wish I had learned these concepts when my brain and habits were more malleable.

— A.R., PhD, research scientist

I was fortunate to have an excellent halachah teacher. Over a decade later, I still run through in my mind my hilchos Shabbos lessons when I set up my Shabbos table or make a salad on Shabbos morning. (The conditions of borer on Shabbos was on each of our halachah tests: b’yad, mi’yad, ochel m’toch pesoles…) Learning in- depth halachah for four years was a unique opportunity that I will never have again. It has definitely impacted my life.

—E.R. Golding, office manager

I remember being in dance one year, and the heads hit a snag in the choreography. They were trying to come up with different possibilities of what motion should be next. We were practicing in a classroom and as is wont to happen, people streamed in and out of the room, each time disrupting the flow and concentration of the dance heads and other dancers (we were 12 in total). The next time someone came in, I said, “Get out, we don’t want anyone interrupting.” I know, I know, not exactly the kindest language, but I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant, please, we can’t handle interruptions now, it’s not you, it’s us.

But guess what, the girl who interrupted took no offense, and accepted my words with my intention and not as I said them. It was only after she left that I realized, a) that was a terrible way of speaking to someone and b) it’s a good thing she wasn’t hurt. That led me to c) my aha moment. Since then, I try to be mindful that the message I intend to convey matches the tone and words in which I say it. As for others, I try to give them grace when they speak imperfectly to me, and assume the best from what they’re saying.

—Esther Kurtz, writer

There is something I learned in high school that I use every day as I practice medicine… that is, typing.

When my practice switched over to an electronic medical system, a lot of senior doctors were floundering to take notes, pecking away with one finger… it’s ten years later and they’re still struggling.

Some of my patients comment on my ability to maintain eye contact, listen, and type all at the same time. And it’s all thanks to my high school typing teacher. I would not give up those skills! I think about her, how she pushed me to perfect my skills and type faster.

I also had an amazing biology teacher who gave me a love for science.

—Dr. S. P., pediatrician

I think the most valuable skills I gained in high school were computer and typing skills.

I also learned how to work hard from having to juggle all those tests and homework, which later helped me juggle other responsibilities in real life.

—Judy Cohen, comptroller (financial controller)

A lot!

I wish I would have learned public speaking skills.

I wish I would have known how valuable good writing skills are in any profession.

I wish I would’ve realized that the popularity contest expires upon graduation.

I wish I would have learned that the real tests aren’t the grades you get, but how you deal with the stress of having three tests in one day.

I wish I would’ve known that in real life, A students will be managed by B students, who will work for businesses owned by the C students…

—Shaina Keren, career coach

The lesson that left the greatest impact on me I learned in the principal’s office. I was, overall, a good girl in high school, but in tenth grade I clashed with my economics teacher and acted very rudely toward her. (This is not something I am proud of. It is quite a few years later, and I still feel bad about it.) Some of my friends did the same, and we really made her life difficult. At one point I found myself in the principal’s office, and the consequence of my actions finally hit home. I expressed the sentiment that I was very sorry, and I really meant it. My principal told me, “Don’t be sorry, do something about it.”

I learned that feeling bad was not enough. I couldn’t just say sorry and slip back into my old habits.

This lesson carried over into many areas of my life. When you mess up (and we all do!) merely saying sorry is not enough. It’s important to change the pattern of actions that lead you to slip up.

—Riva G., therapist and mother

The most useful thing I learned is English writing. Proper communication is crucial in establishing yourself as a professional. Excel was also a biggie; it helps me a lot in my business.

—Chani Wolf, founder and CEO, Pashmina Collection

I learned the most from helping a struggling friend. Bending over backward for another. Nothing prepares you for real life more than knowing how to step out of your comfort zone to be there for someone else.

—Roizy Baum, writer

What I wish I could have learned in high school…

I wish I could have learned more financial literacy. My school did teach me the basics, but I think it’s a vital subject that has significant ramifications in day-to-day life and overall security. It should not be left to chance.

—Esther Kurtz, writer

I feel that my high school, whether intentionally are not, taught me to compare myself to other people and to measure success by a common yardstick.

What I wish it would have taught me is that everyone’s life and everyone’s challenges are different. Hashem has a unique plan for each and every person, and doing the best you can with the tools you have is your job in high school and beyond.

—Leah Cinner, social worker

I learned that the most boring subject can be fascinating if the teacher is excited about it, and the most interesting subject can be awful if a teacher isn’t excited to teach it.

I learned that often the best way to learn is by listening to others’ questions.

I learned that a whisper from a person who cares is more powerful than a shout from someone who doesn’t.

I learned that if you’re a teacher, there will always be people who remember what you wore last Tuesday. Accept it or switch careers .

—Shaina Keren, career coach

We learned sewing in school so I can’t exactly wish we would have learned it. I do wish, though, that I would’ve paid more attention. In the long run, knowing basic alterations saves you time and money.

I was always good in the kitchen, but I have a cousin who aced school but got married with zero domestic skills. She laments until today, “If only school would’ve taught me how to peel a potato!”

—Roizy Baum, writer

I wish they would have taught us business skills and budgeting. I started my singing career as soon as I graduated high school and the business part was something I struggled with a lot in the beginning of my journey. I feel that it’s important for young girls to understand the responsibilities of running a business, earning money, and budgeting.

— Dobby Baum, singer

I wish I had learned about the mitzvah of covering my hair before I was a frazzled and confused kallah sitting in the sheitelmacher’s chair. There were so many options to choose from: How long? Lace front? Rooting? Baby hairs? Although it was exciting, I felt lost and didn’t connect to the mitzvah enough.

—E.R. Golding, office manager

I wish I would have learned how to work hard and put in all my effort toward my responsibilities. Since I was able to coast through school with minimal studying, when it came time to buckle down and work in real life, I found that I didn’t have a good work ethic, or good study habits. This is something I’m still trying to develop since those are crucial skills in every area of life.

T.K., editor

I wish I could have gotten more credits so I could have finished college sooner.

I wish I could have learned more hashkafah and gained more of an appreciation for tefillah.

—Dr. S. P., pediatrician

I wish we’d learned how to juggle running a household, kids, a job, marriage. What to prioritize and how. Maybe only life can actually teach you that!

—Mrs. Ruchel Gold, mother, grandmother, high school teacher

(Originally featured in Teen Pages, Issue 888)