On January 5th, The Benji Project hosted an online panel of four recent Port Townsend High School graduates who spoke with current PTHS students and teachers about life after high school.
While talking openly about their personal experiences with college, a gap period before college, or friends who joined the workforce after high school, shared insights emerged about how to take care of your mental health during this major transition:
Embrace that you can change your mind and have a non-linear path. Many of us will want to adjust the expectations we place on ourselves or receive from others as we engage in new environments, gain a more realistic picture of what’s possible, and explore new interests.
Do what you want to be doing, and be with people who support you. Even before you graduate from high school, get into the habit of being more selective with your time and energy.
You don’t have to leave this area to keep learning and growing. There are many people in this community who want to help you reach your goals or try new things. Reach out.
Prioritize your mental and physical health. This includes making sure you know where to find support before you or a friend have an urgent need.
A big thank you to our wonderful graduate panelists - Mel Bakin, Callay Boire-Shedd, Sorina Johnston, and Finn O’Donnell - and PTHS students and staff for joining The Benji Project’s Heather McRae-Woolf for the open-hearted discussion.
