“High school was the best time of my life. I’m sure it will be yours too!”

I’m sure we’ve all heard this somewhere, whether from a movie, commercial, or family member. This is probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, and the fact that students are expecting this great life experience is ridiculous.

1. When anyone says this to you, don’t believe it.

Sure, it may seem like it at the time; but think about it—you spent four years of your life in high school. It's where you first experience a little bit of freedom, so of course you’re going to think it’s the best time of your life at the moment. You have nothing to compare it to, so if you aren’t having “the time of your life”, there is no need to worry.

2. You’re going to make some pretty huge mistakes.

It's probably going to feel like the end of the world for awhile, but you and everyone else will get over it. You’ll look back on your mistakes and either get really embarrassed or have a good laugh with your friends or family.

3. Your friend group will never stay the same.

you might get a long with everybody, but that doesn’t mean you have to actually

like them. I still find old pictures with people that I was best friends with

for even a few weeks. Even if you have your own type of “clique”, it will still

expand as the years go on.

4. I wish someone would have told me how to handle a friendship breakup without taking it too personally.

Growing up in a small city where you know a lot of the same people from elementary school all the way through high school is difficult, because you find yourself not being friends with the people you grew up with. But you’re going to have so many different friend groups throughout the years that it will get easier to find the people you really fit with.

5. No matter how hard you try not to, you’re going to avoid people from high school in public after you graduate.

know what it is, but I still find myself doing this all of the time. Don't take it personally when other people do it to you. Make the

most of your time with them.

6.Your grades actually matter.

It's okay to get a few B’s, but make sure you’re actually trying. Your first semester of college will be so much easier if you have the discipline to apply yourself to your school work.

7.No matter how many times someone tells you the years will fly by, you wont believe it.

No amount of “open letters” about high school on the internet will be able to prepare you for how fast it really goes. And after that, it never slows down. High school is where you experience your last years of innocence and massive amounts of free time.

8.You’ll realize that you don’t have to please anyone but yourself.

As someone who was involved in numerous activities, it got to be a lot. In my last few months of school, I realized that I was in a lot of activities because I knew my parents wanted me to be in them. If you're having a problem with your parents controlling your life, try and have a calm conversation with them about it ad explain yourself. High school is your time—do what you want, say what you want, be who you want.

9.There are actually people that peak in high school.

I know at least three people that popped into your head that fit into this category. Some people really did enjoy high school as much as they say they did. Everyone has different experiences, and it depends on the person. Don’t think you’re the odd one out if you loved it or hated it, it's kind of a personal preference thing.

10.You’ll miss it after you’re done.

It might take you awhile, but you’re going to have a love-hate relationship with it eventually. I’m personally still in the “hate” stage, but I'll get there eventually. In a lot of colleges, you are just a number. But, in high school, you are valued as a student. Make the most of your time while you’re there. Don’t live in the past and spend time thinking about what you could’ve done differently. High school made you who you are today.

I can't say that I miss high school, but I miss the people I grew up with. You will never be as close with anyone in the way you were with everyone in high school. Even if you go to college with a group of friends, you still end up meeting new people and your friend group will never be the same. While high school is an inescapable experience, always remember that everyone else has gone through it too. Say thank you to your fellow classmates and experiences, because life after high school is completely different.