We all hate to admit it, but high school is nobody's wonder years. We went through those hormone-filled teen years keeping our names out of the rumor mill while trying to gain some sort of status. Once you graduate you finally consider yourself a real person — a little less drama, a whole lot more confidence — and you realize that high school probably wouldn't have been that bad if you had known some very important things:

Always be yourself.

Everyone wants to fit in, even if we don't realize it. In high school we are all thrown into cliques and are told that your social standing is what's important. The truth is, I never felt like I really fit in. I was always obsessed with who liked me and what I could do to make it stay that way. I wanted to be a part of the group and a lot of times that meant changing my demeanor and attitude just because I thought it would make me fit in. I thought that if I acted like I didn't care or pretended to hate people I actually kinda liked I'd belong to the group I desperately wanted to be a part of. Now looking back, I probably wouldn't even want to be friends with high school me.

Don't wish away your childhood.

It's true that you don't know what you have until it's gone. I always wanted to be in college and on my own, but now that I'm at that point, I wish I could be a kid again. I wish I didn't have to work to be able to feed myself and instead sit at home on the couch and watch TV. You always want what you can't have so enjoy your childhood years and hold on to them for as long as you can.

If you need help, don't be afraid to ask.

There's shame in asking for help, but no one can really explain why. If you need help, then you should ask, right? You won't look weak. If someone offers help, take it. Remind yourself that you are strong because you're able to accept something not many have the courage to. Everyone needs help sometimes and it's not a bad thing.

If someone makes you sad, don't deal with them.

This is so important but we don't always realize it. You don't deserve anyone making you feel like less than. You are important, so spend time with people who think you're even brighter than the stars.

Always follow your gut.

Following your instinct is always a safe bet. Sometimes you have to forget about everyone else's opinions and think about what you want. If you know you're unhappy with your friends or you're leaning more towards that out of state college, do what your gut tells you. In most circumstances, your gut feeling is right.

Everything will fall into place.

It's impossible not to be stressed in high school. You're constantly worrying about grades, getting into college, being asked to prom, and starting in the next game. A lot of times it feels like if one little thing goes wrong, then your life will fall to pieces, but more times than not, everything figures itself out. You don't get asked to prom? Don't worry because you'll have an even better time with your friends than you would with a date. Always remember that everything will fall into place, it always does.

Always be nice.

It's easy to conform to others behavior when we're trying to fit in. In high school, being mean seems to make you more popular. Why would you get friends at someone else's expense? In what way is that fair? Just a secret, most people that aren't as appreciated in high school become the most successful.

Sex is not as important as it seems.

In high school everyone seems to know every detail about your personal life. They know where you came from, who you're crushing on, and if you've done it. It was a big deal if you had sex and if you didn't, there was something wrong with you. After leaving high school though, you'll learn that no one really cares about our sex life. Do it or don't, but in the end, it's your business.

You can't please everyone.

You constantly tried to look for other people's validation. You'd go above and beyond for people that would never do the same for you because you were scared that people wouldn't like you. But as much as it sucks to think about, people won't always like you. Don't spend your time trying to change a person's mind about you though, because it probably won't work. Chances are you didn't do anything wrong or maybe you two are very different people. There are definitely people who truly love you for you and they are the ones that matter. Keep those people close and don't sweat the haters.

Most importantly, live in the moment.

Don't think about something that may or may not happen three weeks from now. Worry about what is in front of you. Take everything one step at a time or else you'll miss the most important years of your life.