Entering high school is indeed an overwhelming transition. Dozens of movies and novels attempt to illustrate the clique-y atmosphere of the typical American high school. As one prepares to leave the blissful haven of naivete in middle school and enter the uncertain world of high school, it can be nerve-wracking trying to predict what is in store.

Some people claim high school to be simply “the best four years” of their lives while others would rather not look back on the dreadful time. Every individual has his or her own opinion on high school because each experience is different. When my eighth-grade brother asks me, “How did you enjoy high school?” I cannot muster a simple answer.

Most freshmen enter high school with an optimistic mindset. Many believe to have found their niche in middle school and believe high school will be a mere continuation. I was no different.

I entered high school knowing exactly what I wanted to do: play basketball and be involved in student government. I had great experiences on the basketball team and on student council in middle school, so I basically just accepted, without much thought, that I would continue both in high school.

Freshman year was just as I predicted it would be. I loved it, and I enjoyed being a freshman class representative as well as playing on the JV basketball team. I liked my extracurriculars and felt particularly comfortable with them. Because my freshman year went as planned, I thought I could see how the next three years would pan out.

My sophomore year was just like my freshman year, except perhaps more intense and exciting. I was sophomore class president and co-captain of the JV basketball team. I basked in the familiarity of it all—I enjoyed what I was doing and I never really thought about my life being any other way.

It wasn’t until the end of my sophomore basketball season when I began to experience problems with my shoulders. At each moment of hard contact, my shoulder socket would separate from my arm. It would be a sharp, yet temporary pain, because as soon as it was back in I could start playing again.

However, this started happening more frequently and soon enough I began to find myself reconsidering my future in basketball. This was the first real decision I had to make: to tend to my passion or tend to my health? With choosing my health, I had stripped myself of my previous identity and had to completely reinvent my image. I was at first unbelieving, then accepting, then embracing.

I decided to join crew out of a sheer desire to repair my shoulders in order to get back to basketball as soon as possible. I went in with solely this intention, and came to love every little thing about it. Soon enough, the boathouse became my second home, and my desire to be back on the basketball court waned. Being shoved out of my comfort zone gave me a new perspective on life in general: that the future cannot be predicted, and that it is important to always explore.

Throughout high school, though, I stuck with student council. I was class secretary my junior year and am currently ASB vice president. If I had to redo these crazy four years, I wouldn’t. I would do everything all over again––the basketball team, the shoulder injuries, the emotional rollercoasters, and crew. I not only enjoyed my two years on the team but the experience of the transition from basketball to crew also changed my life.

So to you, my eighth-grade brother and other incoming freshmen, if you get nothing else out of my story, please take this: Do what you love, but don’t be afraid to try new things. When a door closes, look around, for there will be an open one waiting for your entrance. Embrace your passions but explore your curiosities. High school only happens once, so make sure you get all you can out of it.