21 Things I Would Tell Myself as a High School Freshman
I'll be the first to admit that as a freshman in high school, I was entirely unaware of what the future held. Like most freshman girls, I was a hormonal brace face who had no idea how to define herself and thrived off of making sure I had at least 50 likes on my profile pictures.
Now that I'm 21 and realizing that there is more to life than being “popular", there are a few things I wish I had been able to tell myself when I was a freshman in high school.
1. You have beautiful blonde hair – do not taint it and dye it dark brown.
2. Your high school boyfriend is just that: your high school boyfriend. Don't try to extend that timeline, it is not worth the stress.
3. As wonderful as going to bed at 10 PM on a school night may feel the next day, there are only a few Whiskey Wednesdays you'll be able to go to before you graduate. GO.
4. That being said, it's necessary to have a night spent with Netflix and be asleep before midnight sometimes. Beauty rest is important – as long you realize you're going to have FOMO.
5. No, you are not any less pretty or less skinny than that girl. Embrace your body for what it is.
6. Girls are mean. That won't change.
7. Boys are shallow. That won't change (although I'm still hoping for a miracle on this one…)
8. Your parents are AWESOME, don't take them for granted. And, as much as you might hate to admit it right now, they are always right.
9. That extra slice of pizza is not going to kill you.
10. Put the phone down. That text message will be waiting for you later, but you won't be able to get back that dinner with your friends.
11. Pulling an all-nighter to study does not make you any more prepared for that exam. It makes you exhausted. And it will make you do poorly on your test.
12. Drinking on the prom bus won't make you cool – it will make you suspended.
13. No, you don't need that extra tequila shot or Platinum. PUT IT DOWN.
14. Spending your hard-earned babysitting money at Forever 21 will get you nowhere. Your clothes will degenerate after wearing them once.
15. Listen to your friends. When they're telling you he's a cheating a**hole, he's a cheating a**hole. And no, that's not going to change.
16. Stop taking Macbook Photo Booth pictures. Just stop.
17. Take your makeup off before you go to bed, regardless of how tired you are.
18. Know when it's appropriate to take out the camera. A school dance is okay. A hookah bar is not.
19. You are really good at diving and piano. Please don't quit either of them.
20. Your little brother is not going to be little forever. He's going to grow up – and it's going to be weird and scary. Enjoy his innocence while you can.
21. It's okay to make mistakes. Just make sure you learn from them and know when to admit that you messed up.
