We all remember the "glory days" (aka high school). For some, it might have been some of the best years, but for others, maybe not. I bet many of us would love to time travel back to those hallways and find our freshman selves so that we could share a few words of advice from our college selves. High school might have been easier to survive if that was possible, and I would have given myself the following advice.
1. ACT and SAT scores do not indicate your worth as a person.
Yes, try your best on them, but don't stress too much. Once you're in college, they mean so little.
2. Stop worrying about what the “popular” kids wear.
You do you! Wear what you feel comfortable in, whether it is “trendy” or not. Express yourself with your clothing. Believe me, you’ll feel much better and more confident when you do.
3. Join clubs and sports.
Joining clubs and sports is great, but only join the ones you have the most passion about. If you like to sing, join the choir. If you like to swim, join the swim team. Who cares if it’s cool or not? If you love it, then do it. And who knows? You might meet some pretty awesome people who could become friends for a lifetime.
4. Don't memorize MLA format.
Just use easybib.com or bibme.org. You’ll be saving yourself a lot of time and hassle.
5. Prom is not the best or most important night of your life.
It may seem like the most important night at the time, but it's not. Chances are, it’s not going to be a perfect night like you see in the movies, but that’s okay. Don't worry about other girls having the same dress as you, or who you go with. Go, take pictures, dance, and have a blast. Be careful of the food (yes, food poisoning can happen even on prom night)!
6. Apply to colleges that YOU want to go to.
Don't only apply to the colleges your friends are going to; apply to the ones that you think you will be the most happy at. You’ll make new friends in college and your old ones will still be there when you come home.
7. College applications eventually end.
And the results are wonderful! It may seem like applications never end and then the waiting period to hear back takes an eternity, but you will eventually get that letter of acceptance and the feeling is unbelievable. (Don’t forget to do your happy dance when you do!)
8. Sit with new people at lunch.
Make new friends! Invite the girl who eats alone everyday to come sit with you; she is probably a really nice person. Or, invite the new guy to come join your group. He could end up being a really good friend…or a possible boyfriend, who knows!
9. Not making varsity isn't the end of the world.
Getting cut from a varsity sport might feel heartbreaking at first, but it doesn't mean you're a failure. Maybe it's a sign you should try a new sport or activity! Continue to be active and maybe you’ll find your secret talent, such as running, and continue to become a varsity athlete on the cross country team.
10. STOP the drama.
Put an end to the petty drama and fights, especially on social media. It’s not cool and it’s honestly just a waste of energy. Stay positive and be nice, as corny as that sounds. If you have a problem with someone, don’t passive-aggressively subtweet about them; rather, it's best to ignore them and move on with your life. Negativity doesn’t solve anything.
11. Go to sporting events.
Don't just attend the popular ones, like homecoming and playoff games. Dress like a tourist for those beach-themed basketball games. Make signs for your friends. Show your support and school spirit.
12. Do your homework.
Yes, I know it may seem and feel like busy work, but it will pay off in the end. By doing your homework, you’ll develop good study habits that can be used in the future, when courses are much harder and studying takes a lot longer.
13. It's not the end of the world if you skip a class or two.
Just don't make it a habit! If you just need a “me” day, or a day off to bum around with mom, do it. It’s okay if you miss a day or two. Plus, moms love when you want to spend time with them anyway.
14. Detention does not go on your permanent record.
That's something teachers like to say to scare you. Be good, but if you mess up, it’s not the end of the world. Remember the wise words of Hannah Montana, “Nobody’s Perfect.”
15. Don't worry, you will survive high school.
And when you do, you'll feel like you can conquer the world! That is, until college comes around and you’re back to being a small fish in a big sea. Then, it’s really time to start the best years of your life.
