“Mean Girls” is probably the movie that defined the millennial generation. It’s been over 10years since it was released, and to this day, it is still quoted in 75 percent of the conversations I participate in. The reality of it is “Mean Girls” is one of the most relatable and relevant films for our generation, but lastly, it should serve as a blueprint, a guide, if you will, to getting through life both in high school, and into legal adulthood. Let’s begin, shall we?

1. The new kid, especially if it’s a hot girl, is closely analyzed -- much like a science project.

Cady comes to a new school with basically zero social experience. Which is a problem considering high school students will examine the new girl under a magnifying glass; looking for any deep, dark secret that can be used against them should they grow to be too popular. Everybody will be the new person at some point, whether it’s a new school, a new job, a new town or a new country. Prepare yourself for the scrutiny.

2. The culture is different everywhere.

Granted, Cady had never actually been to a real school before. Adjusting to the vicious culture was particularly difficult for her, but the reality is that adjusting to the way of life in any high school or any new environment is a tough task. Learning to understand the way people operate can be a trying task for anybody. Adjusting to a new environment is stressful for even the most experienced of people, take it in stride and adjust at your own pace - there is no rush.

3. Life is a landmine of cliques.

The iconic scene of Katy’s introduction to the cafeteria in "Mean Girls" is painfully accurate to a real-life high school lunch room, or for that matter, any lunch room. Groups of friends band together like military platoons and judgmental glares are always being thrown in someone’s direction. Cady's shock and anxiety is relevant to any newcomer. The looks and judgment of classmates is totally unavoidable. The only advice I can give is not to take it personally. The "Plastics," the "Art Freaks" and the "Jocks" are parallel to the "Computer Nerds" are the "PR Princesses" that you may encounter in the workplace.

4. Neutral territory: Proceed with caution.

School, the workplace and a home are all the territory of someone, therefore, an honest opinion should not always be expressed. However, settings such as the mall, a restaurant or other public place are totally Switzerland - neutral territory. If you are going to pick a fight or an argument, do it in Switzerland. However, be aware of ambushes from your enemies in these places as well.

5. There really are people as dumb as Karen.

Whether it’s high school, college or any other point in your life, you will actually encounter people as clueless and airheaded as Karen, Regina George’s number two in command. There are literally people who are genuinely as clueless as that, and bumble through life confused 90 percent of the time. Just be prepared, because they’re out there.

6. The Damien and Janice type people really are the best type of friends.

The weirdest people you will ever meet often turn out to be the most genuine friends and the people who will carry you through a difficult time in your life. High school is an ideal example, but any difficult situation will do. Cady did not have enough social experience to judge Janice and Damien on first impression, but any other experienced high school student made immediate assumptions about them. There will forever be people you meet that will shock you and maybe make you a little uncomfortable - it is inevitable. But that does not mean that you should not give their friendship a try. Go be friends with a creepy goth girl or the guy who wears hot pink. They might just be the friends you’ll never forget.

7. Gretchen Wieners are the worst kinds of wieners.

Trust me, I enjoy a good hot dog as much as the next person, but Gretchen Wieners is the poster child for a two-faced b***h. The classic three-way phone call scene is the epitome of the drama circulation between girls in any type of close quarters. The Gretchen of your life is undoubtedly the perpetrator behind these kinds of exchanges. Unfortunately, these types of people are completely unavoidable. If you think you might have encountered a Gretchen, keep your mouth shut and avoid; secrets are great for hair volume.

8. Sometimes, the Aaron Samuels of life just aren’t worth it.

Cady went through a whole bunch of crap just to be with dreamboat Aaron Samuels. It almost cost her loyal friends (not "The Plastics," obviously) and the respect and trust of her parents, as well as her reputation throughout school. At the conclusion of "Mean Girls," of course everybody lives happily ever after. But in reality, if going after a boy is jeopardizing the stability of everything else in your life, maybe you should just let him go. The right person will come along, just don’t go looking.

9. There will be a Regina George in every major setting of your life - learn to deal with it.

Regina George has come to be the general template for the typical high school b***h. I regret to inform you, but girls of that caliber don’t only exist in high school. You will encounter the special species known as mega-b***hes throughout your life. There will always be a girl who’s prettier than you, more popular than you, more experienced than you and more sociable than you, and she will use it to her advantage. My advice to you is to learn to block out the mega-b***hes. Find your best qualities and use them to your advantage. B***hes will be b***hes, and the dramatization of Regina George is a mere symbol for these rare mega-b***hes. But proceed with caution when choosing your friends, because manipulation can cut deeper than a literal knife.

10. Life’s a jungle.

School, the workplace, your home - these are the watering holes of your life. Any place where people come together and interact can be compared to the jungle habitat. In turn, any animal can be compared to a human. Some people are the lions and lionesses, regal and understanding, getting through life on sheer nerve. Others are hyenas, cackling and instigating. One must learn to sort through the types of people in the animal kingdom, and label yourself accordingly. Although Cady's mall experience might have been a shock to her, I promise it will be the least of your encounters with wildlife (unless you’re also a transfer student who was home schooled in Africa).