1. Parents are smarter than you think For some reason, I had a brief moment where I felt the need to rebel (relax, I didn’t get a face tattoo). Anyway, I swore I knew it all and my parents didn’t know anything. Just, listen to parents. They are smart, and they have done everything that you have done and it probably didn’t turn out that great that’s why they’re telling you not to do it.

2. The permit test isn’t worth stressing about Am I going to get my permit? Yes, you are. It is honestly just common sense. Do you know the difference between the green light and red light? Do you know what a speed limit is? Do you know what it means to yield? Yes? Then you are honestly going to be fine. The only thing to stress about is the line at the MVA. Sheesh.

3. Parallel parking is worth mastering Chances are, you are going to want to at some point go in a city or somewhere that requires either parallel parking or a mile long walk from a parking garage. LEARN TO PARALLEL PARK. Parallel parking has saved my lazy bones from walking two miles at least fives times. Plus, once you master it, you can pretty much do anything in a car. I sometimes pretend that I’m one of the Fast and Furious characters.

4. Please be nicer high school sucks. High school students are all hormonal and hate everyone. It truly pays off being nice. You never know what people are going through. Don’t be that person who’s a jerk to someone one day and then the next day they are no longer on this Earth. It takes more energy to be deliberately rude than to simply smile and say, “hello”. You have to actually think of something mean to say, rather than just saying two syllables. If you are feeling extra lazy, just do a, “hi”. Do not be a jerk. High school is tough for everyone. Everyone is all awkward and weird, and in that stage of either getting braces or getting them taken off. Just be nice!

5. Be careful what you post Please, do not post stupid or offensive stuff on social media. I’m not talking about a Beyoncé meme, I’m talking about truly being hurtful and offending someone. I get it, sometimes people are too sensitive but think, if someone were to post something like that about you, would you like it? Also, if you are doing anything ILLEGAL do NOT be an idiot and post it on social media. You said you want to get into an Ivy League college? You really think they are going to want to scroll through your stuff and see pictures of you doing shots or using medicinal anything when you don’t have a prescription? Don’t be an idiot. If you don’t want your mom or your dream school to see it, DO NOT POST IT.

6. Make new friends Making new friends in high school pays off more for when you are in your college years. Sure you like your clique and your few friends and you say to yourself, “they’re all I need”, which is probably true, but think about the future. Think about when you’re home from college during the summer and your two friends that are all you need are busy, you have zero friends because you were anti social. Making new friends in high school make visits home from college 100x less lonely.

7. Fake friends make you stronger The friends you have now, may not be with you a year after you graduate high school. “Oh my gosh I can’t live without Becky” you’re thinking, but it’s true. Becky just couldn’t stop spreading rumors about you or she did something that fake friends do and now you guys aren’t friends. Don’t stress though. Becky being a fake friend only makes you stronger. I know it may suck if you lose a friend, trust me, it hurts, but it helps you get better at judging character. It also feels great when you find someone who you have just as much fun with as Becky, but she’s actually a good friend.

8.You are not going to last forever Ahhh, romance. You love Jim, and he’s the best and you are going to get married and have babies and it’s going to be great. I hate to be a Debbie downer, I do, but it may not end like that. All of the high school sweethearts I graduated with hate each other. It may be love to you now, and you are thinking to yourself you can’t live without that person, but you can. If it doesn’t work out, it’s okay! You are now closer to meeting your perfect match. Jus

9. College isn’t that great College is so exciting! Not. College is hard, and don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t. The idea of being out as late as you want and not having anyone to answer to is absolutely amazing right? Sure, that’s cool. It’s great being able to come home at 2:00AM… from the club. Club lib that is. That is college for the library. You will spend endless nights in this club and it starts when the sun goes down and ends when the sun comes up. College is a great right of passage, and it is amazing, but it isn’t like the movies. You actually have to go to class and do hours of homework. Weekends at college are amazing. The worst day though, is Sunday. Sunday is the day you’ll hate until you graduate.

10. Take your sweet time Anytime anyone told me not to rush high school I would roll my eyes and think that they are crazy. I now understand. Do not rush high school. It is so much fun, and when I look back I wish I had more fun. It is four years that you will never ever get back so enjoy it. Don’t rush to finish, and don’t miss out on things like homecoming, or prom, or any other major school events. Just enjoy the moment and have safe fun. Show your school spirit as much as you can. Be proud to be a high school student, because once your alum, you only have memories. Being carefree like a high school student is no longer an option.