Finally, the time came for Sr. Jayden Rattanasamay to pick up his cap and gown. The moment he’s waited for all his life. But something doesn’t feel right. He couldn’t help but reflect on the things he didn’t do, the chances he didn’t take, and the decisions he now questioned. This is the internal struggle that faces Rattanasamay.
Reflecting on the past four years, many moments felt huge at the time, whether it was studying for tests, hanging out with friends, sports, or even clubs. It’s easy to question whether everything was balanced well or if priorities should’ve been different. Rattanasamay admits he struggled to focus and wishes he had dedicated more time to his classes and involved himself more with the programs that West Ottawa has to offer. “I wish I had taken school more seriously when involved with AP/IB courses. These courses can boost your GPA and help you with more opportunities in college, as well as taking advantage of all the fantastic clubs/programs we have at the high school that could have involved me with huge amounts of extra volunteering hours and a better look for my resume,” said Rattanasamay.
Along with academic demands, students often feel like all eyes are on them. It’s hard not to feel the pressure of trying to meet certain expectations. Whether it’s social or athletic, the pressure is real. Rattanasamay especially felt this academic pressure when preparing for his AP/IB tests. Rattanasamay said, “I would cram in so much homework before test day, just to get credit for the missing assignments, I had no preparation for my test the following day. This really affected my sleep schedule, making me sleep deprived and super tired in every class. I would also begin to stress so much on the test and just start putting down answers, hoping it was right.”
Among the many challenges he faced throughout high school, one in particular stands out to him, that he wishes he could change. “I think I could’ve made a better decision to play sports earlier. Watching my friends play made me wanted to be involved as well, but I kept saying how it was way too late for me to join and I’d be competing at a different level, unlike my friends. The moment when I decided to join was when I saw all my friends bonding over wrestling at lunch, I wanted to be involved with that as well,” said Rattanasamay
Despite the struggle, Rattanasamay found help from others, finding friends and teachers to help and support him was a big part of his success when setbacks hit. Rattanasamay said, “I stayed motivated from my late junior year to senior year, thanks to my parents and teachers. I finally realized that, being a first-generation student, I would have to make my family proud. So I continued to seek open opportunities and advantages to keep pursuing more things, even if it is out of my comfort zone,” thinking back to those who helped him stay motivated.
With just three weeks until graduation, Rattanasamay looks back and realizes that although he can’t go back and fix his mistakes or regrets, he now carries valuable lessons with him. “Some things I’ve learned that prepared me for graduation are not to hesitate and not to be afraid to try new things. When doing homework, don’t think that two assignments should be your limit. The more assignments you can finish, the more freedom you can have. Also, trying things like the student senate and the student ambassador has most definitely built an open-minded character. I feel very good helping with the high school, but also the community, thanks to these clubs,” Rattanasamay said.
