We're always told by our parent's generation, and shown by movies, that high school is the best four years of your life. They always depict the dramatic, romantic, party packed moments without showing any of the reality, because the truth is: it’s actually pretty boring. Most of us spend high school doing various activities, homework, and trying to find new things to do on weekends. There are (of course) good moments, and great memories, but for a normal teenager high school is four years of awkward growth. We all walk away feeling different and hopefully feeling ready to take on the real world. I graduated in 2015, and it felt like a weight off my shoulders when I walked across that stage. The same night I took a few minutes to write down some things I felt I had learned and wanted to be able to share with others someday. Even now, in my second year of college, I find that these things still hold true.

1. Your best friend in freshman year may not be your best friend when you graduate. Don’t worry, the true friends will show themselves.

It's very common and normal to start high school with a group and end with a different, or smaller, group. Growing up and apart is part of it.

I remember school was cancelled this day, but why?? It was gorgeous out!

2. The boy who breaks your heart as a freshman will not even cross your mind as a senior.

If he hurts you, he's not worth wasting any more time on. Stay strong, move on.

3. Wear what you want! If it makes you happy, it’s worth it. Show who you are.

I don't remember now how people dressed every day. I remember how they treated me and how I valued them as a friend.

4. Don’t judge people for their appearance. There’s no telling what their home life is like.

Not everyone has regular access to showers and laundry machines. It's tempting to be mean, but it's easier to be kind.

5. Don’t judge people, period.

There's never any way to know someone's story.

6. Work hard from day one. Take advantage of the free education and prepare for the future.

The school system is flawed, but use it to your benefit as much as you can. After you graduate, all learning costs money.

7. The person you can’t stand in ninth grade may end up being a good friend later on.

People change a lot, in surprising ways. Be open to who they are now.

8. Don’t hold yourself back from personal growth. If you graduate the same person you entered as, you’ve missed out on a huge chance to find yourself.

One of the most important things you can do in high school is learn from your failures and mistakes. Make an effort to be better than the problems.

9. If someone wants to walk out of your life, let them. You deserve people who want to be around.

It's inevitable: people will leave. It's painful, and depressing, but it happens. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

10. Never talk badly about people. It comes back.

Never, ever, ever. Someone will always try to spread your words.

11. Share food sometimes. And car rides. People love people with cars and food.

Wouldn't you want to be friends with someone who took you to Taco Bell?

Oh, to be 15 again and have my parents pay for my nights out.

12. Be careful what you post on social media.

From hurtful comments to party pictures, social media isn't the place to post things you don't want your family (or the cops) to see.

13. The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell...

I think we all know this one!

14. Take tons of pictures.

They're great excuses to send throwbacks to people in the future.

15. Join a club or a team. You’ll make friends and have something to bond over.

When you're around people multiple times a week for the same thing, it's basically mandatory that you become close.

16. Know that these can be some of the most trying, confusing years of growing up, but the best is yet to come.

Even if high school is rough, it's only four years out of so many more.

High school isn't always easy. It's not always fun, it's not one long good time. But if you enter with an open mind, good people by your side, and a willingness to see what happens, you can make out of it what you put in.