A High Schooler’s Guide to New Skills and Passion Projects

Learning a new skill isn’t just about finding a way to squeeze another line into your resume- it’s about discovering something that excites you and has potential to grow into something meaningful when you put in the work. We all have that one thing we’ve been meaning to try. It might be learning a hobby, a new language, or expanding on a skill that you already possess. But despite your intentions to begin your skill-building journey, there’s often a question on your mind that stands in your way…where do I start? 

The answer is simply taking the first step, even if it feels small. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Enroll in the course, watch the tutorial, and don’t hesitate to ask others your questions. You don’t have to commit to mastering a skill for life, you just need to be open to learning. 

Developing new skills plays a crucial role in uncovering what genuinely interests you, and what doesn’t. Not every skill will turn into a lifelong passion. Sometimes, you’ll try something and realize it’s not for you, and that is perfectly okay. In fact, discovering what doesn’t resonate with you is just as valuable as discovering what does. Through this process, students can identify subjects that make them excited, which further leads to meaningful extracurricular involvement, potentially even a foundation for a future passion project. 

This past year, I discovered my own unexpected interest in digital media design through my journalism class. At first, I was just experimenting with simple photo editing and design software to make visual content to accompany my articles, but over time I realized that I actually enjoyed the creative process, and I had a natural eye for it. For me, what started as a class assignment quickly turned into a skill that I feel proud of and intend to continue practicing. I now see digital design not only as a useful asset for my future projects and work, but also as a creative outlet that I can develop.

Choosing a skill to explore can shape the direction you take in the future. So be curious! Embrace being a beginner. Take the first step because you never really know, your next step outside your comfort zone might just lead you to something great.