My high school years were not my favorite ones, I'll admit.

Yes, I was the girl who did college a year early simply because I hated high school and wanted to get out. But that is beside the point...because high school actually carried some very valuable meaning with it. As much as I hate to admit it, I actually learned some valuable lessons sitting in those wooden desks for hours on end.

So, as I sat at my high school graduation about a week ago, I thought about all the things I learned throughout these past 4 years, and I thought I needed to share them with everyone.

1. Your parents are your best friends.

At the end of the day, you may fight with them constantly. However, the year I turned 17 was the year that I figured out my parents weren't actually against me, and that they are actually behind me in all life decisions. Thanks, life givers. You rock.

2. Being unique is more attractive than being a follower.

I wish I would've had this realization much sooner than I did, but I've come to find that this is so important. Every time I see someone doing their own thing and being different, I have nothing but complete and utter admiration for them. Since then, I've tried applying it to my own life more than ever.

3. College isn't for everyone.

I remember being a middle schooler and thinking that everyone who didn't go to college was just a burnout, but I have come to find that some people don't need school as an asset in being successful. Sitting in a classroom isn't the best way for some people to learn, and that people need to do what works best for them. If that means no college, then that's what they should do.

4. Not everyone is going to like you.

Man...this is a tough one for me to swallow. I mean really. I love it when people like me and I just cannot stand it when people don't. However, the fact is that you can't change how people feel about you. You can only change the way you react.

5. You're not going to like everyone.

I really hate to be the one to say it, but we are just as guilty as everyone else of meeting someone and not liking something about them. I really like to be the person to give you a chance before I decide how I feel about you, but the fact is that it is human nature to make judgments when we meet people. It is sort of unavoidable, and the best thing to do is just admit that we all do it.

6. Discovering your passion is the most important thing.

No...you don't need to go on some thrill-seeking adventure (unless that's what you're into) to find yourself, but you do need to find the things you are passionate about. I promise you that life will be so much more enjoyable if you have something to invest your energy in.

7. You should face your dreams head-on.

Your dreams aren't going to chase you. You have to chase them. That is why they are called dreams. They are attainable, but they are a challenge to get so once you reach your dream, don't let it go.

8. Let people be who they are.

For the love of all that is good, we have got to stop judging people for being exactly who they are. I am guilty of it as much as anyone else, but it has got to stop. If that girl wants to dye her hair blue because it makes her feel comfortable, then she'd better do it. Stop whispering about her when she walks by and talking about how you don't like it. It's not cool, and if anything she's cool for expressing herself. You'll find in college that you judging people isn't going to make anyone like you because everyone is such an individual in college.

9. You should always mean what you say.

When you speak, you should have so much power and truth behind your words. Be genuine and be caring. I promise that it'll get you so much farther in life than keeping quiet for fear of backlash and criticism.

10. You should always let your friends be there for you.

I am so guilty of trying to fix my problems on my own, but in the last two months or so I have realized that you really cannot do things alone all of the time. I don't like to be the girl to bother anyone with my problems, but I've realized that if you have the right friends in your life, you will end up feeling so much better with support behind you.

11. Everyone is cool in their own way.

I know this sounds super cliche, but as I watched my classmates walk across stage, it occured to me that every person who walked has their own story and their own individual personality, and that is just so cool to me.

12. Heartbreak is often inevitable.

Whether it be a first boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend, etc., we will be heartbroken atleast once. As a teenager, it can be such an intense pain because we don't have the wisdom to understand that it's not the end of the world. It is the first time we are experiencing pain like this in our lives and it sucks. All you can do is sit and wait for the storm to pass.

13. High school is a small part of life, but an important milestone.

I wanted nothing more than to leave high school from the moment I walked in the doors as a freshman. However, even though I will absolutely deny it if anyone asks, I actually learned the most important life lessons and lessons about myself within those walls.