As my final year of grade school ended and I got my diploma, I realized that my life was going to change completely. All of the hard work I put into school for the past 12 years was finally rewarded. And four of those years have taught me lessons that will walk through the rest of my life. Here are 10 of those lessons:

1. Popularity is irrelevant.

I used to attend a catholic school for eight of my 12 years of schooling, and when I transferred to the local public school, I felt like a complete loner. I was the lonely freshman who had a hard time opening her locker, and who got a little nervous around “certain” people. I felt somewhat inferior to those people, and sensed that they were judging me hardcore. But the older I got, I learned to not let it bug me. I was my own person and I made plenty of amazing friends along the way.

2. Get involved.

During my freshman year of high school, I played volleyball. I had a lot of fun, but I didn’t play much, and then I realized that (this is my opinion), I could be doing all sorts of different things, like I could join a club or do another sport. I tried out my sophomore year, but I didn’t make the team. So I focused on something that was a little more important to me, which was my music, which was a great way for me to get involved with school/sporting events.

3. Make new friends, but keep the old.

The high school I went to was pretty big compared to the class of 12 kids I left the catholic school with. And a new school meant new friends. And throughout those couple of years, I made a solid group of friends, both boys and girls! They respect me, and help me through anything if I need it and I am always down to help them.

4. Take your time.

Instead of trying to leave school immediately after the bell rang, I slowed down a little bit to talk to some friends or ask a teacher how their day was. Cherish your surroundings, you will not regret it.

5. Stay focused.

Growing up, I had a lot of anxiety and it took me a little longer than "normal" to process information, but I was a hard worker and I still am. And I focused on my studies and didn’t let little things get in my way. And I ended up succeeding in the end.

6. Stay calm.

As scary as I thought high school was, I didn’t let the large halls and class room sizes freak me out. Well, at first I did. I was petrified transferring from a private catholic school to giant public high school. But, the more I got to know the school, the less it freaked me out.

7. Don’t slack.

We’re all in high school for one reason and that one reason is to graduate high school. I spent hours studying for tests and doing my homework. I promise you will not regret the late nights finishing that one little assignment. It leads you one step closer to success.

8. Get some sleep.

Treasure those nights when you don’t have loads of homework. Half of the time during my senior year, I fell asleep around 8:30, and boy let me tell you, I did not regret going to bed that early. I was so ready to take on the day ahead.

9. Stay silly.

You’re still a kid, and it's okay to goof off! Treasure those moments of going back to your old elementary school and playing on the swings. As a matter of fact, I’ve gone back to my old elementary school and played to my heart’s content. As much as I wanted to grow up, it freaked me out a little bit, because the world out there is big and there’s a lot to be done. So stay silly, it’ll make life a little funnier.

10. Cherish. Every. Moment.

Your parents were not wrong when they said high school went by quickly. One minute you’re getting ready to walk in those doors to a new school on your first day of freshman year and the next you’ll be standing in a room packed with hundreds of people, looking around at your classmates and realizing that it all ends here. I remember my graduation day like it was yesterday (that’s because it was), and I knew I may never see most of these people ever again. But I held on to those final, beautiful moments. And I hope you do, too.