High school, what some people think could very well be the best part of their life, and for some, it will be. But going into high school is a completely different experience than just moving up a grade. You will be going to a new school with people you have never met, and if your school is anything like mine, you went from being at the top and being the oldest on campus, to being babies and the new kids on the block. Trust me, I was there. If only I would have known then what I do now.
1. Learn to like coffee.
But not like Starbucks fraps. Nobody has time for that (but if you do, hit a girl up). The coffee from your own coffee pot is just fine, and nobody is going to make fun of you. In fact they are going to ask for it. Coffee is fantastic if you are staying up to write a paper you put off until the last second, or waking up at 6 a.m. to curl your hair and look cute. You need to learn to like coffee. You can put as much pumpkin spice latte cream in it that you want.
2. Don't wait until the night before to write that paper.
I have been told this countless times, yet I still do it. I wait until the very last second to finish, and not like the night before last second, but the pass them up last second. Please, for the love of God, DO NOT BE ME. Take the time out of watching "OITNB" to write the paper, because once you start on this road, it is almost impossible to get off.
3. It's not as bad as you think.
Okay, so we all love movies and TV, but the movies and TV shows about high school couldn't be any farther from the truth. As much as I would love to have everyone break out in song, it's not going to happen. The upperclassmen are not going to put you into a trashcan or bully you like that. We are actually going to help you if you ask. Don't be afraid to talk to an upperclassman for help -- we were there two or three years ago, and we understand it's kinda scary. We don't bite, or at least most of us don't.
4. Don't stand in the middle of the hallway and chat.
You know how I said we don't bite and we are actually nice? Well, I assure you, if there is one way for us to be mean and quite honestly hate you, it would be standing in the middle of the hall. Our halls are much too small and crowded for you to do this. Talk to them outside or in the bathroom. Or at lunch. But for the love of Jehovah DO NOT MAKE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HALLWAY, because we more than likely are one tardy away from after school detention.
5. Bring gum.
Gum is the most important part of high school. You can make lifelong friends just by having this. You can also gum your way to the top. Want an A+? Bring gum. Need yesterday's notes? Offer gum to whoever has them. Last night's homework 'slipped' your mind? Nothing a piece of gum can't solve. Want a prom date? Well, gum can't get you that, but I bet your chances are better with gum.
6. Get involved.
Being involved is a must. Don't be that person who does nothing in high school. Even if you go to an extremely small high school, you will still have something you can like and enjoy. It might be a sport, debate club, drama, FCCLA, or many other clubs, but one thing that I have been told time and time again is, don't overload yourself.
7. Don't think you are too cool.
Cheer your heart out at football and basketball games. You are only in high school once. Buy the ugly booster club shirts. Pay attention at the games and watch what is happening. When we have pep rallies, cheer. Participate and live it up. We all know the senior class is going to get the spirit stick, but that doesn't mean you can't try.
8. Appreciate your teachers.
Look, they put up with our annoying butts for a year and some even more than that. They aren't there for the money, trust me. They work so hard to help us. They spend so much of their time on us. They are not doing this for their health or even for themselves. They want us to make it in this world. They are here to help us better ourselves. Teachers are amazing, even the ones you don't like.
9. Buy the good pens.
Spend the money and buy G2 pens. Just do it. You will thank me later.
10. Learn to love your school and the people in it.
You can hate our town. You can't hate the rules. You can hate the food, but you can't hate your school. This is something I'm still working on myself. Your school is your school. You become you here. The people in your school might be smelly, rude, better looking and all sorts of things, but these people are your peers. They are going through the same things, school-wise, as you are. It's okay to not like some aspects, like how we all know the sports teams get a leg up even though your speech team has more gold medals than Michael Phelps. As much as I wish I could say I'm not going to miss this place when I'm gone, it's just not going to happen!
Welcome to high school, freshmen. Live it up and always remember to do you.
