Closing Comments

Watwood

— Go to gym.

— Do not tell your English teacher about your personal life. They are all huge gossips.

— Also, tell your English teacher absolutely everything about your personal life. They are even better listeners than the guidance counselors and give more relevant advice than your mom does.

— Do not get bangs.

— Do not get an undercut.

— Take calculus senior year.

— Sometimes you are a lesbian. It is okay to be a lesbian.

Jeremy

Make the most of your four years. I know at times it seems like Stuy will last an eternity, but, trust me, it doesn’t. Before you know it, it’ll be all over. So all I can say is enjoy high school. It only comes once. Put yourself out there and meet wonderful people. Your friends will be there for you in your ups and downs. Personally, I love wandering around in the city—there is so much to do and see. Take advantage of your unique situation of growing up in New York City, a place where the whole world is just a subway ride away. Also, do what you’re passionate about. Don’t worry about how others perceive it because if you enjoy it, that’s all that matters. But, most importantly, take everything I say and everyone else says with a grain of salt. You all come to Stuy with a unique background and personality—don’t let others try to mold you into something you’re not. Listen to what others have to say, but at the same time, stay true to yourself and learn about the world through your own experiences. It’ll be a long four years until the finish line, but you will make it.

Michelle

Stuyvesant freshmen usually walk into this school obsessing over grades and extracurriculars, spending hours after school attending tutoring sessions, sports practices, and SING! Rehearsals. But don’t forget to prioritize family. When you go off to college, your parents will no longer be a part of your daily routine, nagging you to sleep earlier and forcing you to eat even when you’re not hungry. You’ll miss their comforting words of wisdom and fresh, home-cooked meals. They also pay for everything, so appreciate them before you become an adult.

Gaby

The people in your life are a million times more important than your grades or college application. You’ll be happier with yourself if you focus more on being a good person, a good friend, a good daughter or son, and a good brother or sister, rather than just focusing on being a good student. Caring more about being sincere and kind will make us a better school. Also, learn to be fun. Smuggle in a foosball table, raise money for a student break room. If there’s one thing I regret the most about high school, it was not having a place to play ping pong or make tea during lunch.

Celina

My biggest regret freshman year was sticking to what felt comfortable. I was lucky because my entire friend group from middle school was also going to attend Stuyvesant, but none of them were passionate about becoming involved in the school community. In addition, none of them were in any of my classes. The train rides home felt especially lonely on the days I decided to stay for a club’s interest meeting or even for SING!. Oftentimes, I was deterred from staying after school or attending a practice because I knew my friends wouldn’t be there. Looking back, I’m grateful that I did manage to pull through, but I also realize that it was completely their loss for not becoming engaged in our school sooner. Stuy has such a welcoming community full of brilliant minds. We’re not just kids who can do well on a standardized exam, we’re also motivated students who knew we would be facing the hardest classes we’ve ever took. Never feel like you have to follow what your friends are doing and don’t let anyone’s negativity get to you. Just keep moving forward and making mini goals for yourself and your future. Lastly, don’t forget to set aside time for you to have alone time. School and socializing basically take up 90 percent of your time, so feel free to cancel plans or take the weekend off for yourself to cool off. Alone time is important for recharging!

Stacey

Make the most of Stuyvesant’s resources! There are many other high schools in the city that do not offer such diverse, abundant opportunities that help students’ well-being and success. I still remember that rush of excitement at my first Club Pub Fair as I watched so many upperclassmen promote their clubs in the most creative, spirited ways possible. With hundreds of diverse activities that are offered in this building, there is something for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try new things—you will never know if a club or team you shied away from joining could’ve been your talent, your passion, or your future career interest. In addition, definitely take advantage of the phenomenal support system at Stuyvesant. There are reliable students, staff, and organizations like SPARK that will always have the door open for you whenever you need help or just need someone to be there to listen.

Ting Ting

You’ve felt it. So have I. I can’t quite explain when it happens, but with college getting closer, I’m more conscious of when it does. As much as we’ve wanted to grow up, move on, move out, we’re saying goodbye to something we thought we’d never miss—being kids. Saying hello to something new means saying goodbye to something old and loved. As much as we seniors are looking forward to college or work, to moving out and moving on, we are leaving a part of ourselves behind. Loss of childhood, even though you’re glad to be growing up. A loss of security, a familiar routine. The pattern of high school life. I’m going to actually miss high school, I think.

Jonela

Trust your instincts—the rest will fall into place.

Also, set stuff on fire.

Jane

Be brave when you do the right thing. Apologize when you do the wrong thing.