Many students enter high school with the thought process of graduation being a lifetime away. They count down the days until each school year is over, and dread going back in the fall. Students live their lives throughout a series of “nexts”. When the next break is, what is coming up, and what they have to look forward to.
“Time goes by so fast”, senior Jenna Polking said. “I remind myself that I won’t get time with these people forever, and to be really intentional with the people I’m talking to.”
Choosing to be consciously grateful teaches the concept of living in the moment. The more focus put into living in the now helps students to appreciate moments as they come.
“I think it’s hard for teens to stay present because your lives are so full of milestones, everything is kind of just the next step so you’re looking forward to the next thing,” counselor Shay Wright said. “Every time you accomplish one you’re looking forward to how quickly the next one is coming up.”
Many students chalk up their achievements as just another thing done off of their checklists, not something to enjoy.
Students measure their present moments by how finished they are, not they can live in the moment and appreciate things as they come. Through this, there are two different types of mindsets shown.
Settler Mindsets
Settler mindsets look into what lives will look like when all is said and done. Settler mindsets focus on the more permanent aspects of someone’s future, like houses and future relationships.
Explorer Mindsets
Explorer mindsets are focused on the moment at hand. Those with this mindset enjoy what they have and choose to be consciously and consistently grateful for the things around them.
Settler and Explorer mindsets are both familiar to high school students. On one hand many are excited for what is to come after graduation, and in their futures. On the other hand, many appreciate moments as they come and realize the importance of living purposefully.
“I think social media and phones impact your ability to stay present because you’re trying to make sure you remember all of the things that are going on and document that for yourself and your friends,” Wright said.
Instead of living in the now students are worried about how to capture their moments. They do not focus on the moment at hand instead they focus on how they will remember the moment when it is over.
“I just want to enjoy every last moment, cause I have such great friends and school has just been so good.” Polking said. “Even though it’s been so hard it’s been such a blessing so it’s really bittersweet.”
The farther students get into high school the more they’ll find they can’t buy their experiences. The people who surround them influence their thoughts and help students enjoy what is happening now. High school is four short years of their life that is almost over before they know it.
“I remind myself to live in the moment by staying grateful for what is going on, and staying present with the people who are around me,” junior Anna Real said.
