1. Befriend the nice, funny girls. – These girls may not have the nicest clothes or be super popular, but when you really need someone the nice girls will always be there. They’ll pick you up when you’re at your lowest and help you through it all.

2. Drug store makeup works just as good as high-end makeup. Sometimes better. – Don’t spend $40 on a lipstick when the one you could purchase for $6 is usually better.

3. If he can’t text you back, he’s not worth a single tear. – Don’t stare at your phone screen, constantly awaiting a response from some boy you met at a frat party. Odds are you won’t be getting anything and he’s not worth it, babe.

4. Please blend your foundation. – Lines on the edge of your cheek aren’t cute. Trust me.

5. You’re going to miss your grandma’s home cooked meals whether you realize it or not. – You’ll get so sick of eating dorm food in college that you’ll give anything for some mac and cheese or chicken noodles that you used to turn your nose up to. Take advantage of every opportunity for something cooked with love.

6. If you don’t want to go to the party, don’t go. – Simple as that. You’ll probably go to hundreds of parties in your life and that one isn’t going to be any better than the next. Don’t fret. You’ll be okay just staying in and watching Netflix every so often.

7. Never be afraid to ask for help. – If you ever struggle, don’t struggle alone. There are people out there who want to help you.

8. You’ll regret the words you don’t say more than the ones you do. – Say what you need to say, you’ll live your life knowing you always took the necessary chance.

9. Your weight is just a number on a scale. It does not define you. – Yes, you need to be healthy. But as long as you’re medically safe, don’t worry about that damn number. So many people will try to define you by this number and you should not let them.

10. Leave your hometown after high school, but don’t forget your roots. – Leaving home is one of the greatest things you’ll ever do. But once you’ve found yourself, please come back from time to time and see where your life began.

11. Being popular in high school means nothing in five years. – Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly hasn’t grown up.

12. Your grades are important. Please make them a priority. – Please study. Please finish your homework. You need to do well in school.

13. Do not let a boy call you a bitch, cunt, or whore. Tell me if someone ever does & I’ll be sure to inform his mother. – If a boy ever demeans you, go straight to the woman who raised him. She’ll whip him back into shape.

14. Enjoy the things that make you a little nerdy. – Whether it’s Disney movies or anime, it’s okay to let these things shine through. They make you unique.

15. Your beauty is not defined by a boy’s opinion of you. – His opinion doesn’t freaking matter. What matters is that you’re okay with the young woman you’ve become.

16. Drunk driving is never cool. – Seriously. Call a taxi, walk home, call me. Do not drive drunk, do not let your friends drive drunk, do not get in the car with a drunk driver.

17. Call your grandparents. They miss you. – They love you more than you’ll ever know. Don’t go a couple weeks without calling them up.

18. Don’t let someone tell you you don’t need makeup to be beautiful. If you want to wear makeup, wear it. – Contour your face and do your lipstick if you please. It’s okay.

19. If someone ever tries to change you, cut them off. – You are perfect just the way you are. Don’t stay around someone who thinks otherwise.

20. You’ll meet your future husband in time. Just wait. He’s going to be even more amazing than you think. – Once you meet him, you’ll know.

21. Befriend your teachers. This is always a good idea. – Sometimes you’ll need to miss class and you’ll have notes emailed to you right away, and sometimes you’ll be one point away from an A and they’ll give it to you. Always a good idea, babe.

22. Pulling all-nighters is never a good idea, but if you do, keep the coffee close by. – You need sleep…and caffeine.

23. Never give up the opportunity for a late-night drive for some fast food. – McDonalds or Taco Bell at 1 am with your friends just tastes better.

24. Walks with good conversation are good for your soul. – If you really want to get to know someone, go for a walk with them and wait for them to spill out their darkest secrets. You’ll get to know them better than the back of your hand.