Sixteen. It's a pretty critical age. I think once you hit sixteen, people think you've hit the "epitome" of your teenage years. You can start to drive, and people might start taking you more seriously. Now that I'm (almost) 20 (seriously, how did that happen?), there's plenty of things I wish I could go back and tell my 16 year old self. So, to my 16-year-old self... here's 16 of the things I wish I could've told you back then.

1. Try not to take yourself too seriously.

Maybe this was just me. When I was sixteen, I really thought I always had to be on top of things. I was always so worried about my grades, extracurriculars, and trying to eventually get into college. If I could go back, I'd tell myself to stress out less. Yes, it was important to get into college, and had I not done this I might not have gotten into my dream school (go dawgs), but sometimes I wish I had been more carefree those years.

2. That being said, do what makes you happy.

Seriously, if you don't feel like doing something... don't do it. It's okay if you don't feel like being social sometimes. It's okay if you want to go be social and finish your homework later on. Long story short, don't do things because you feel like you have to.

3. Stop being so afraid to ask for help.

I think most teenagers think that if they ask for help they might be perceived as weak. That's how I felt when I was sixteen. As I've grown older, I've realized just how incredibly stupid this was. Yeah, you're sixteen. This means that you really don't know what you're doing. Ask for help whenever you need it... I promise that no one will think any less of you in the process.

4. Don't think you can't.

Now's the time to dream. Now's the time to figure out the things you like, and the things you don't. Dream your biggest dream, and don't be afraid if it seems impossible. Don't let other people get into your head.

5. But, don't be afraid that you don't know what that dream is.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with not knowing what you want to do with your life. At all.If I could go back to sixteen, this is the thing I might stress the most. It's okay to not have a dream job. It's okay to have no idea what you like, or to only know what you don't. Don't be afraid to admit that you're uncertain of what you want to do. Honestly, most people are-- and that's okay. Stop freaking out.

6. Realize and appreciate your friends.

I'm blessed enough to still call some of my best friends from the age of sixteen my best friends today. Realize when you have good friends, and cherish them. Recognize the qualities of a good friend, and accept nothing less.

7. For the love of God, stop dwelling in the past so much.

Sixteen-year-old me spent way too much time thinking of what could've been, should've been, etc. The past is the past. Hell, I wish my sixteen-year- old self could see me writing this right now, because I knew I dwelled too much in the past then, but never tried to fix it. There's a beautiful future ahead of you. Stop letting your past get in the way of it.

8. Bloom where you're planted.

Honestly, life's not always going to go how you plan. Things aren't always going to go your way. You have two choices. You can either go on pouting and crying about what went wrong or you can decide to act like an adult and make the most of your not so ideal situation. I, unfortunately, tended to choose the former, but wish I could tell my sixteen year old self that everything happens for a reason.

9. Failure is awesome.

Yep, you read that right. I think failure is incredible. I've failed thousands of times in my life. I've applied for things and haven't gotten them. I've tried out for things and didn't make the team. I regret nothing. Failure has taught me more about my tenacity to work than anything else. Without failure, I would not know my strengths or weaknesses, and I really am thankful for every time I have "fallen short" for making me who I am today. That being said, stop avoiding things because you think you'll fail. Try out for something you might not make. Apply to the school you think you won't be accepted. Just try everything you can without any boundaries.

10. You'll always regret not taking a chance.

Life's too short. Take the chance. Take a chance on people. Make a risky move. Now's the time of your life to be daring and bold, so stop being so nervous.

11. And why do you care so much about what people think?

In actuality, it's really so pointless to worry about what others think. Consider this, after high school, you probably won't even see half of the people whose opinions "mattered so much" ever again. So, why are you letting their opinions control what you do? Be yourself, you'll never regret it. March to the beat of your own drum.

12. Appreciate your parents.

When you're sixteen, it's easy to think you're way too cool for your parents. Newsflash, you're not. At all. Your parents have done absolutely everything they can to make sure you have the best life possible. So stop being rude and talking back. Say thank you incessantly.

13. Actually, say thank you to everyone.

This is a life skill that I believe is crucial to realize at the youngest age possible. Always, always, always say your thank you's. Whether this be for presents at Christmas, advice, or simply for someone holding the door for you, those two words have an impact beyond your wildest imagination. Thank you's exude class, gratitude, and really, sometimes you just need to hear them from other people. Be aggressively polite, always.

14. Count your blessings.

Stop and appreciate what you have. I wish I had realized just how good I had it at the age of sixteen. That being said, I realize how great I have it now. Basically, just know that things could always be worse. Be grateful, be humble.

15. Know your worth.

I wish when I was sixteen, I had realized just how great I was. Pat yourself on the back for the little things. Realize that you're successful now and will continue to be no matter what. Break out of society's mold. Demand that people treat you right, and know the difference between someone who adds things to your life and someone who compromises your happiness. Try to eliminate the latter.

16. Seriously, stop hating your body.

This point, I saved for last, I make because it's really important. Stop. hating. your. body. You have a body that works, that runs, that laughs, that breathes, that keeps you alive and well. Stop worrying how pretty other people think you are. Stop worrying about what you're wearing to school all the time, and realize just how great you are.

In the end, I wish I could tell my sixteen-year-old self to just be herself-- fiercely and unapologetically. While it's hard to be a teenager, I think as we grow older in the next few years we realize just how silly we sometimes were and how much emphasis we put on things that truly don't matter. To my sixteen-year-old self, I want you to know: you're going to be just fine. That, I can promise you.