Ah, "middle school", a phrase most of us would like to erase from our entire vocabularies. Regardless of how awkward or weird middle school was, we all have to admit that the experience did teach us a bit more about life.

1. Your Grades Don’t Matter

I was OBSESSED with getting straight A’s in middle school. For some reason I was completely concerned with making sure that all of my teachers liked me and all of my friends thought that I was smart. In reality, the grades you get in middle school don’t count for shit, and I wish I had saved all of that energy for college because instead of studying I sleep in until 2:00 p.m. every day.

2. You’re Not in a Relationship

I mean, come on! If your mom still packs your lunch before school each morning, then you’re not old enough for a “relationship”. Honestly, the “relationships” that happened in middle school weren’t even real relationships, they were more like advanced friendships with hand-holding in the hallways.

3. You’re All Awkward. All of You.

When I was 13, I thought I was the only one who was gangly and awkward-looking. Since looking back on all of those old middle school photos, I’ve noticed that the boy I had a crush on was super awkward and so were my two best friends. We were all weird and uncomfortable human beings.

4. Talking About Drugs Was Dumb

My friends and I used to always joke that we smoked weed after school while waiting for the bus. Why did we do this? I don’t know, but now that I think about it, we weren’t very clever or funny.

5. Don’t Rush To Grow Up

All I wanted to do in middle school was finally be able to grow up. I pictured myself driving my own car, with my boyfriend in the passenger seat, and my PhD just chilling in the backseat for the world to see. In reality, I have no car, no boyfriend, and am struggling to wake up for my 10:00 a.m. classes each morning. Growing up should never be rushed.

6. High School Musical Wasn’t Real

This is the one that really gets me. High School Musical was the most genius piece of art Disney has ever put together, and I expected high school to be just as fabulous! I mean, I knew there wouldn’t be random song and dance breaks, no matter how much I wanted there to be, but I at least thought high school would be a bit more exciting.

7. Be Nice To The Weirdos

Do you remember those kids everyone thought were weird in middle school? Maybe they were super quiet, wore thick glasses, or picked their noses in between classes? Well now they’re all at Harvard training to be lawyers, the awkward phases have passed, and Jimmy-Brace-Face is attractive as hell.

8. Listen to Your Mom

Moms always know best and it wasn’t until I reached college that I finally realized middle-school-me should have listened when Mom wanted to teach me how to cook or use coupons.

9. Everyone is an Asshole

I was bullied pretty bad in middle school, and since I went to a different high school than those from my middle school, I don’t really have a transformation to compare anything too. People change though, and I’m sure the children who made fun of me then don’t even remember doing it now and are just trying to survive like the rest of us.

10. You’ll Become a Different Person

I am most definitely not the same person I was when I was in middle school. I’d like to think I’ve grown up and learned from my mistakes. The events that used to bother me and keep me up at night don’t even cross my mind anymore. Middle school is a really tough period in a preteen’s life, but it is survivable.