1. It's okay to wear the same pair of jeans two days in a row.
As long as you change your top, I guarantee nearly nobody will notice if you wear the same jeans more than one day in a week unless you have a huge stain visible to all.
2. The world won't end if you get a zit.
Pimples are normal. Blemishes are normal. Everyone gets a slight breakout at some point in high school, so don't fret. More than likely, nobody will notice it unless you point it out and draw attention to it.
3. Taking a deep breath before a speech will help.
I've given my fair share of speeches in high school in very diverse environments for different crowds and nothing helps calm the nerves more than a large inhale and slow release out. Take it serious and it'll help!
4. Partake in as many clubs as you can, but don't be afraid to quit.
High school is a wonderful place to explore your interests, so join every club that catches your eye in the beginning of the year! Go to a meeting or event and see what it has to offer. If you don't like it, you don't need to return. The teacher/sponsor won't hate you for eternity.
5. Everybody talks.
In high school, you make friends who then turn into trustees, or your "go-to's." Words might slip, get twisted and repeated, but that is a part of high school. Heck, that's a part of life. People will talk, you will hear things about your classmates you never thought you would and people will do things that make your eyes boggle out of your head. People thrive off of gossip in their teenage years and they eat up anything they hear. Don't partake, respect your classmates and always be the bigger person.
6. Don't become tied down to one "clique."
Try theater, student council, sports, science olympiad and whatever else you may choose because by partaking in extracurriculars you will have a broader horizon, a more open mind and new friendships.
7. You don't have to do sports.
Sports are not for everyone. I played countless sports growing up and stopped them all after freshman year. Some say high school sports take up too much time and some simply say they want to have a life. Sports don't define you or negate how much hard work and effort you dedicate to other aspects of your life.
8. Nobody will remember your bad hair day.
Coming from a girl with frizzy, curly hair who didn't know how to style it until the beginning of sophomore year, nobody remembers bad hair days. Can you even remember what you had for lunch last Tuesday? Exactly. Probably not.
9. Stay busy.
Sitting in your bedroom on a Friday night watching movies with your cat might be fun once in a while, but stay busy. Sort your time wisely and step outside of your comfort zone. By staying busy you may stay out of trouble, develop a work ethic or even work towards a goal or dream.
10. High school relationships are okay.
Dating in high school has its pros and cons, but you will always learn lessons and grow as a person, no matter how positive or negative the relationship is.
11. Don't post everything you do on social media.
Living through social media can be toxic and not many people care what you do every day, every week, of every month. Keep some of your life private, keep people curious and cherish your memories without sharing them all with the world.
12. These are not the best four years of your life.
The high school will be a roller coaster and not every day will be perfect. You will cry, scream, laugh, get hurt and make the most wonderful memories with your friends, but there is a life to live after high school. This is just a stepping stone.
