A million years ago, I was in upper elementary school. Every morning, after the routine announcements were said, a kid would come on the intercom and wrap things up with an inspiring quote. Finally, the announcements would close with the student saying, “With something to think about, this is ____. Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.”

Hit the fast forward, and I’m a junior in high school. The transition to AP classes and college preparation hasn’t been smooth. The first two months of school have brought little sleep and too much stress, with grades and life feeling like they’re slipping out of my control. I must be in over my head. Two AP’s – what was I thinking?! Too many commitments and not enough time spent with friends and family and too many tests to study for…

Then a couple of nights ago, my mental turntable stopped spinning. I was in the playroom of my house, looking for a piece of posterboard in order to make a sign for a middle school volleyball player. Unable to find any, I spun around in frustration, and found myself facing my old bookshelf. On that bookshelf, my yearbooks for grades fourth-sixth caught my eye. That’s when I remembered the phrase that stuck with me through those years: “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.”

That’s when I realized the choice is still mine. Even though it’s been awhile since the days of recess, I have the power, now more than ever, to decide whether my high school days are going to be great or not. I could let myself be overwhelmed by the stress of junior year. Or, I could let it roll off, take failures in stride, and work my hardest to be successful. Most of all, I can choose to be happy no matter what the world throws at me.

So make this school year great – or not. The choice is yours. I hope you choose to make it amazing.