Senior Year- two words that always made me incredibly nervous. Being that my senior year is almost half way over, I thought it would be beneficially to share twelve things that I have learned through my education journey.

1. It does really go by fast.

I never believed anyone when they said that High School goes by fast. I feel like just yesterday I was a little bitty freshman walking into a huge school scared for my life and today, I am graduating High School in seven months and heading to Alabama for college in nine. Enjoy every moment in High School, because it truly does go by fast

2. Your friends will change.

I started off my High School career with a huge group of friends, who most of which I do not talk with anymore. In High School, your interests will change a lot. Your maturity level will (hopefully) increase and that can cause a huge change in friends. But, do not worry, when you lose friends, you will just gain more that are more like you!

3. It is okay to not know what you want to do with your life.

For the longest time, I had no idea what career I saw myself doing in the future. I saw myself as a neurosurgeon my freshman year, a choir teacher my sophomore year and a producer my junior year. However, I now know that I want to pursue a career in sports writing and production, I believe that it is still totally okay to not know how you see yourself in ten years.

4. College is all on you.

This might have just been me, but throughout High School, I was never really told about college. We never talked about the different colleges, and how community colleges are just as good as Universities. I wish I knew that before deciding on my future. If your school does not stress the importance of college or educate you on the different ones that are offered, educate yourselves!

5. Be Yourself.

You are probably lying to yourself if you say that you have never changed even the smallest thing about yourself to fit in with the crowd. Personally, I know I have. Being yourself is one of the most important things ever, because in the end, the only person that is guaranteed to stick by your side always, is you.

6. Momma really does know best.

I take this one to heart because there have been many of events that have happened in my life where my mother was right about something and I was not. Trust your mother, because she probably has been through the same thing.

7. Save yourself, don't procrastinate.

I still procrastinate to this day, and I will probably will in college as well. But, if you are not already in the habit, it is in your best interest to never procrastinate.. no good ever comes out of it.

8. Relationships are great, and also your worst nightmare.

I myself have had my share of relationships in High School. I dated the same guy for a while, and that ended in severe heartbreak. Love is important and it is one awesome thing to experience. The most important thing you need to know before you get in a relationship is that you deserve to be treated like a king/queen and you should never be treated differently.

9. Popularity is not as important as it seems.

My freshman year, I was so obsessed with being one of the "populars," and I was for a while. My junior year I finally came around and realized how unimportant popularity was. I realized that it did not matter how many parties I went to that weekend or how many friends I had in my "clique." I realized that my education should have been first, and not my social life.

10. Loving yourself is very important.

I have struggled with self-love for YEARS, and it did not hit me until recently just how incredible I am. Yes, that could sound conceited, but when you realize how incredible you are, you will know what I mean.

11. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.

Once upon a time, my social life was the most important thing in my life. I would go out before my homework was done, and half the time it would never get done. My junior year I realized how important my education was, and made that my number one priority. I have to admit, I wish I put myself before my education, so definitely prioritize yourself over everything.

12. Have fun and be safe.

I have been to one or two parties in my lifetime, so I know how fun and wild they can get. Although it is important to have fun, it is SO important to stay safe. Do not drink and then get behind a wheel! Be smart and stay safe, your family and friends love you too much for your life to be lost just because you wanted to have a little fun.

Remember to make High School some of the best years ever. I definitely made sure mine was.