What I Wish I'd Known in High School

by John Bytheway

"The Original What I Wish I'd Known in High School volumes 1 and 2, now together in one book"..."Abridged book... Read by the author." 6 CDs.

Genres: Lds, Young Adult, Self Help, Religion, Inspirational, Church, Education

133 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

John Bytheway (born October 1962) is an American author and academic, who is well known as a comic motivational speaker for youth within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Salt Lake City, Bytheway attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, receiving a Master's Degree in Religious Education. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Philippines.

Bytheway is a religious studies instructor at BYU, currently focusing on the Book of Mormon. He also serves on the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Women Writing Committee for the LDS Church. Bytheway and his wife Kimberly have six children.

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Bytheway books are amazing, and this is no exception. I'm going to get all of the books and CD's and set up a collection for my family!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book every day with Spencer. Bytheway is a master at taking important gospel principles and making them entertaining and applicable for the youth. This book has fostered many discussions about topics that I didn't know he was even thinking about yet. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone with a kid entering jr. high. Although it says high school on the cover, I feel like these days kids are doing stuff so much younger so they need to be prepared by jr. high. I am learning so much also while I read it to Spencer, even though I have read it several times in the past.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. I love how Bytheway treats teenagers - with respect, reverence and trust. He teaches them not to just stay out of trouble, but to strive to be valiant, proactive, righteous followers of Christ. Plus, he is so entertaining.

I was inspired to be better.

[Mandy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I got my first car at 17 years old my parents put this book on cassette tape (yes, that’s right… cassette tape) in the tape player for me to listen to. It was the perfect book to listen to as I drove from school, to work, to friend’s houses. I laughed and felt understood. It gave me a great foundation to hold onto and helped me see the big picture of what I wanted my life to someday be. Is it funny that I’m reading this again at 35? Yes, yes it is. But funny enough I still found some of the things in here applicable to my life today. This book was a blast from the past to read again and I’m grateful that I had it when I needed it most in my life. I hope to share it with my own kids someday.

[Kimberly O'Meara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read that helped me a lot as a teenager. Can't really go wrong with John Bytheway

[Rebecca Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book,” What I Wish I’d Known in High School,” by John Bytheway tells of how in addition to the first book,” A Crash in Teenage Survival”, how we can survive high school with purity. It tells us of more on the religious side of how we can go through high school without joining all the craziness. It tells you how to repent, service projects, the three attitudes, spiritual health, listening skills, communications, improving your prayers, and more! This is a really good book because it will guide you through the rough times in high school and how to survive them. The book also cracks a few jokes here and there! This book,” What I Wish I’d Known in High School” written by John Bytheway tells us about how to survive high school and can help get through it.

[Kenzie Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, John Bytheway outlines everything he wished he’d known in high school using awesome humor and gospel standards to illustrate his points. He uses the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Old Testament, and the New Testament to help teens learn about popularity, self-esteem, the Law of Chastity, learning to forgive, love, and endure to the end, reading and using scriptures during high school, the influence of media, differing religions, gratitude, and goals.
This book was amazing! This was the first time I was introduced to John Bytheway, and he’s absolutely hilarious! Aside from that, he’s helpful and totally understands everything that teenagers worry and stress about, and tries to help them sort through their confusing lives. This book is geared toward LDS teens who are in or about to start high school, but really any teen can benefit from reading this!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how much the world changes, some things always stay the same. This is a great book for those struggling through their teenage years, and there's even things you can learn as an adult (though, some of it will be things you've hopefully already learned). John Bytheway is great at not only telling stories in an interesting way, but in teaching doctrine through those stories.

[Rebecca D · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Bytheway uses his fantastic sense of humor and gospel knowledge to teach teens about making good choices and living the gospel. You could tell this was written in the 90s, but the advice and application was still relevant.

[Michelle McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice. I want my teenagers to read this book, especially the parts about trying to be popular and rebelling against standards (media, clothing, dating, etc.) I highlighted so many quotes that I’m not going to add them here.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked what it said overall, and hope to implement some of his ideas in my own life. It does get a little corny sometimes, but ideas are good

[Emilou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not in High School, graduated a long time ago. But there still was a lot of facts, quotes and scriptures that applied to me. This is a great Sunday read.

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part is how fun he makes it to read and the amazing quotes that you find on like every page!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in High school, now reread as an adult helping my high schoolers. Great ideas and goals to put into place.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and helpful as a teen

[Elizabeth Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a 9th grader years and years ago. This is the book that made me realize I love reading. It also helped me come through those tough years with my faith in Jesus Christ in tact.

[Andrew Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 2023 and my High Schoolers love this book. I am glad that I shared it with them.

[Kaylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I wish I'd Known In High School, is one of the best books I can recommend to teens. This book is all about how to make the most of your high school experience. It answers frequently asked questions and it teaches you how to prioritize in order to get things done. Topics like popularity, self-esteem, persistence, discipline, personal finance, romance, and preparation are all covered in separate chapters.
The author, John Bytheway has a great sense of humor which he uses to his advantage throughout the book to keep the reader from getting bored. He explains certain things he regrets from his teen years and how different choices would have left him more prepared for college with money in his pockets.
This book has helped me gain self confidence and realize that some things teens worry about, really aren't important. What I wish I'd Known In High School is a very motivational book that will help readers want to prepare for college and stay organized through the chaos of high school. I have no complaints about this book and I can't wait to pick up the sequel!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book ok was not as dynamic as the talks, parts 1 & 2

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really simple, fun guide for teenagers on how to improve your spirituality, choices, attitudes, and basically your life in general. I love how John Bytheway teaches really well but makes it entertaining at the same time. There's something everyone can learn from this book. I'd definitely recommend it, especially for teens who are struggling or want to know something they can do to improve their quality of life. The challenges Bytheway gives, the tips and thought-provoking insights, and the quotes from General Authorities and others he shares will help you gain better perspective, reflect on how you're living your life, and encourage you in your efforts. I learned some really good stuff from this book and I'll probably refer to it often.

[Kirsten Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK... so when I read this book in 1996 I loved it. I raved about it. Infact in my 7th grade english class we had to do personal reading and write about it every so often. My teacher was so persuaded by how much I liked the book she asked me if it would be a good book to read allowed to her classes.

when she asked me that I gulped and told her it was a religious book. she was welcome to borrow it, but I wouldn't read it allowed in class.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

O.K. As a parent of teenagers, this book came into my life at just the right moment. I was able to find this one from the public library on CD (couldn't find it to purchase)and my children and I listened to it in the car. Then I bought the book. It is one of the most marked up, used books in my house. Lots of practical use for teens, worded in a way they can relate to.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter, Cami, recommended this book to me. She loved it! I did too! I wish I could have read it when I was in high school but there was a lot that was still very applicable. The book is full of doctrine backed up by scriptures and the words of the prophets. It is uplifting, motivating and very entertaining at the same time.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book it’s perfect (not too boring not too funny gospel related) I actually am in highschool and this actually did help also the author is great

It’s perfect not too boreing not too funny and it’s gospel related! I actually am in highschool and this book has helped a lot read it

[Michelle S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book promted my teenager and I to have several fun discussions regarding the ups and downs of teen life. Typical of his style, John Bytheway uses humor to encourage teens to be positive and develop confidence in their abilities. Fabulous read

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two thumbs up! This book is AMAZING! It has a lot of helpful tips and it answered a lot of questions that I had as a student at High School, and it has literally helped me a TON. I think this book will also be helpful to any and every teenager who is willing to read it and gain from it...

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was funny and had great information. I really liked this book.

[Jerrina]

Seriously great book if you have a teen

[Steven Hummer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the very first John Bytheway audiobook I listended to and I was hooked.
Very funny and very informative stuff.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if i like his style of writing...