By James Tichaendepi
Lower six student at St Johns Emerald Hill
Good friendships in high school can shape a learner’s discipline, confidence, choices and personal growth.
High school is more than lessons, examinations and school uniforms.
It is a season of growth, discovery, mistakes, memories and friendships that can influence the kind of person a learner becomes.
From the first day of Form One orientation to the final Combined Science examination, learners meet different people, join different circles and slowly discover who they are becoming.
A popular saying reminds us: “Show me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”
In high school, that saying matters because friends influence habits, choices, discipline, confidence and even academic performance.
Why good friendships in high school matter
Good friendships in high school help learners choose friends who encourage effort, discipline, honesty and growth.
When learners enter high school, they often make friends quickly.
Some friendships grow stronger with time, while others fade as learners mature, change interests and begin to understand what they want from life.
The best friends in high school are those who share your goals, values and vision.
If you are a Form Two learner who wants to pass with distinctions, spend time with people who take their schoolwork seriously.
That does not mean you should only befriend the top performers in class.
Instead, choose friends who encourage effort, discipline, honesty and growth.
Human beings often become like the people around them.
A learner who spends most of their time with friends who skip lessons, avoid homework, and mock serious students may slowly begin to adopt the same habits.
On the other hand, a learner who spends time with focused, respectful and hardworking friends often gains motivation to do better.
Good friends do not laugh at your weaknesses.
They help you improve.
A true friend corrects you with kindness, supports you when you struggle and celebrates your progress without jealousy.
Such friends remind you to study, attend lessons, respect teachers and take your future seriously.
Build friendships based on trust
High school friendships can also become important connections later in life.
The classmate you encourage today may become a doctor, teacher, journalist, engineer, entrepreneur or leader tomorrow.
For that reason, learners should build friendships based on trust, respect and shared growth.
Not every friendship deserves your loyalty.
Some people repeatedly betray trust, waste your time or pretend to support you while secretly working against you.
For example, a friend may spend the whole school day distracting you, then advise you to go home and watch movies instead of studying.
Later, you may discover that the same friend spent the evening revising and completing their own work.
That behaviour does not reflect genuine friendship.
Real friends do not mislead each other.
They want each other to succeed.
Make time for yourself
Friendship does not mean spending every moment together.
Even within a strong circle of friends, every learner needs personal time.
A learner can use some free periods to study alone, read a motivational book, reflect on personal goals or think quietly about progress.
This time helps you understand yourself better.
It also teaches independence, discipline and balance.
Learners who cannot work without friends nearby may struggle to make wise decisions alone.
Enjoy school without losing focus
High school requires balance.
Learners should study hard, but they should also enjoy school life.
School events, clubs, sports, debates and other activities help learners create memories they will cherish later.
The goal is not to avoid fun.
Choose friends who make fun meaningful, safe and positive.
Every learner needs “energy-drink” friends.
These are friends who motivate, inspire and push you to become better.
Such friends encourage you to read your books, attend school activities, respect yourself and pursue your dreams.
As Oprah Winfrey once said, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
Let that guide your choice of friends in high school.
In the end, high school will pass, but the lessons you learn from the people around you may remain for life.
