High school is a confusing time.
You're in that awkward phase sandwiched between not really a kid anymore but not an adult either. Things are confusing, hormones are wild and every small problem just seems amplified when you're a teen. And while people take classes like math and science, trust me, those aren't the only things people learn in these formative four years.
You never know what to expect when you walk through those doors on the first day of freshman year. It could really be the “best four years of your life” or rather, the opposite. Whatever your high school experience was (or currently is), we all leave those years with a lot more wisdom than we had when we originally started.
Here are 10 things I learned in high school.
1. Chase after what you want.
Life is too short to follow someone else's dreams. Do what makes you happy, and your passion and drive will get you far.
2. Tell your crush that you like him or her.
Tell your crush you like them. Some things are better left unsaid, but this is not one of those times. It is better to put yourself out there and risk it for the biscuit, rather than sit back and wonder “what if”? The worst that could happen is a simple no, and then you can move on with your life.
3. Start and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
From my perspective, I only see benefits from this. It is proven that eating healthy, exercising regularly and having a normal sleep schedule makes life 100 times better. If only I did that...
4. Don't be afraid to be open.
Being open and vulnerable allows closer and more intimate relationships to develop between people. Open your hearts to people you trust, your mind to new ideas and your arms to people who need help (and hugs).
5. People come into your life for a reason.
Whether you knew them for all four years or not, there are certain people you would not be the same without (for better or for worse.)
6. Take care of yourself.
At the end of the day, you are the only person who is always there for you. Make yourself a priority. Don't take anything less than you deserve, but also don't act like the world revolves around you.
7. Keep moving forward.
Nobody said life was going to be easy. Remember that the difficult times only make you stronger.
8. Don't be afraid to try new things and have fun.
(As long as you're safe.) Life is meant to be lived! New experiences are what brings flavor to the table of life.
9. If you care about someone, let them know.
If you care about someone, let them know. Sometimes we don't tell the people in our lives that we love them enough. Let your friends and family know you really appreciate them and the impact they have on your life. This also goes hand in hand with being kind to one another. You never know what someone else is going through, so a simple act of kindness could go a long way.
10. Be you.
Out of all the seven billion people in the world, there is only one of you. Your interests, quirks, hobbies and character are what make you special. Don't let anyone ever make you feel bad about what you are passionate about!
