High school, to me, is like a game of Blackjack. The only way to win is if you play your cards right.

For instance:

Situation A- Minus 3: Vocab test tomorrow in Carmody’s English 3H class. HBO’s Entourage continues tonight at 9:00 pm. I need an A on this test tomorrow, but I’m not sure I can make it through school tomorrow having to hear my friends talk about Ari Gold’s comeback or Vinny Chase’s new movie. Remember the count is minus 3. This deck is definitely no hot, so now it not the time to take a chance. I fold my hand and decide to spend the next few hours studying for this test, understanding that my grade in this class matters more than my knowledge about Vinny Chase’s career in tonight’s episode of Entourage.

Situation B- Plus 7: Student government elections tomorrow. Spanish 4AP presentation sixth period that I am definitely not prepared for. I want to do well on my Spanish presentation but I can’t keep my mind off of the election. Today is the last day to campaign for some pivotal votes. The count is plus 7, so the deck is favorable. I really want this election tomorrow and I’m prepared to go all-in to secure some voters. I close my eyes and push my chips into the center of the table. I run to the cafeteria and spend the next four periods doing table-table campaigning. I win the elction the following day and that feeling of euphoria trumps any sour feelings about my not-so-hot Spanish presentation.

High school is a place that spends four years preparing you for a life full of unexpected ups and downs. Like blackjack, high school puts you in positions that you may not always know how to handle; you need a strategy. For me, it’s counting cards. I analyze a situation, consider my options, and play based on the odds. In order to succeed in blackjack, you need to have a unique approach. High school is the same way, so don’t be afraid to count cards.