1. Join a club!
I was always afraid of joining other clubs in high school without friends for fear of not knowing anyone or worrying about what other people thought of me.
2. Don't purchase those 5inch high heels
Don't do it. They'll hurt your feet and you'll never wear them more than once for 30 minutes at a school dance. Save yourself pain and money and opt for flats instead.
3. Realize when it's time to walk away
Don't pour your time and energy into a friendship that isn't meant to be. I finally ended a friendship after 6 years because it just wasn't healthy anymore. Sometimes friendships aren't meant to be, they're just to help you get going.
4. Don't worry about being in a relationship
There may be pressure in high school to have a significant other but once you start college, you realize there's more to life than dating someone for the sake of dating because it's "cool."
5. Learn how to say "no."
Whether it be to peer pressures or overcommitment, know what your limit is.
6. Practice setting goals
Create something to work towards as motivation. If you can't set a goal to finish schoolwork on time, what's keeping you accountable to complete tasks post high-school/in the working world?
7. Be nice to everyone
This is kind of a given, but you never know who you'll end up working for, and in general, you never know what's going on in someone else's life.
8. Networking is everything
One thing I wish I learned when I was younger would be to start building connections. Teachers, family friends, and people from the community may know someone who would want to hire you after you graduate. Be nice to people because you may end up working for them someday. Many people are hired because of their connections, not just their extensive resume.
9. Practice self care
Even taking 30 minutes out of my day to destress and relax would have been beneficial. My study habits from high school caught up with me once I got to college. Spread out your assignments and tackle them one by one instead of doing everything at once.
Not enough sleep can lead to falling grades and health problems. It's worth it to skip doing your makeup in the morning for the few extra minutes of sleep. Chances are, no one is paying attention to your makeup or outfit.
