As I scroll through Facebook, I see my former underclassmen going through all the motions of senior year, including the stresses of finding a college to finding a prom date. From graduating last year, I feel like I have learned and grown as much as one can in their first year a college. As I look back, there's things I knew, things I wish I knew, and things I thought I knew. So without further ado, here is a list of 47 things every high school senior needs to know.
1. Take as many photos and spend as much time with the people you went to school with. You don't realize what you will miss until everyone goes down their own path.
2. Write down every favorite memory.
3. Don't forget about your mom and dad when you go to college.
4. Don't go into college thinking they'll be the best years of your life. They'll be some great ones, no doubt, but your life doesn't just have to be amazing in your twenties.
5. It's totally OK to continue to date your high school sweetheart if you're happy. Roll your eyes to everyone that says "but you'll meet so many more people in college."
6. As Ted Mosby once wisely said, "Nothing good happens after 2 a.m." This includes studying for finals and cookie binges.
7. You don't have to be stupid and irresponsible to have fun in college. You just need a circle of friends (even if you don't know them well) and a sense of adventure. Also, I don't care if it's legal in Washington. Weed smells awful.
8. Never feel inferior about anything, whether it be that you can't afford a private school, didn't get into an Ivy League school, or even that you don't have the most expensive dorm. Your place in life will be from your efforts, not from your status.
9. Get a job before and during college. Even if you are working fives hours a week. You will thank me.
10. Take a deep breath and go look at some stars once in a while. The world is a whole lot bigger than the issues in your head.
11. Create a budget. Coming from someone that spent close to $800 her first quarter on needed and unneeded things, I can't stress this enough. Sometimes you just have to say, "No" to the Beyonce concert *cries*.
12. Never buy your college books new.
13. Unfollow the stupid, fake, or unrealistic Instagram accounts. If you don't, you'll end up comparing yourself to something that isn't real and your confidence will be affected.
14. Don't figure everything out. Instead, trust that God is leading you down the right path. That has given me so much in life.
15. Tell your high school teachers, "Thank you." Also, ask two to write a recommendation for you for future use.
16. Participate in every senior activity. But remember that even though prom is a wonderful time, I don't remember anyone's dress color or style from a year ago.
17. Don't hang on to bad relationships or grudges.
18. Keep in touch with your high school group, but make like three good friends in college.
19. If you want to stay healthy but are poor, buy things like eggs ($2.50 per dozen) baby carrots ($1.50 per bag) and wheat bread ($2 per loaf). As long as your smart about it, you don't have to bust the bank to be healthy.
20. If you end up going from among the top of your class to a B student, remember that it's okay to not be perfect, as long as you give it all you got.
21. Do. Not. Buy. Everything. On. Your. Dorm. Pinterest. Board. I worked at a retail store before college and only spend $200 on my dorm things, and that includes all my bedding.
22. Try everything to see what you like. You may find when you're 18 and pursuing computer science you actually also really like the idea of doing film.
23. You're not stupid or slacking if you don't go to college, and you have no right to think that of anyone else. Sometimes people that don't go to college are even more clever because they find a way to live comfortably and be happy without being in debt.
24. Never, ever, EVER think, "I'll just add it to my loans to pay off later." The 30-year-old you will applaud me for that.
25. Explore everything, but remember your core values. People might like you more if you dress and act sexier, use more colorful language, if you drink more and act more chill and laid back and stop caring about things, but that doesn't mean you'll like yourself more.
26. God is still important and there for you in college.
27. After high school, it is the time to meet people, go on every adventure, and make the stories you'll be telling for the next 30 years. Don't get so drunk you don't remember it.
28. If they think you're cute even when you're on your second day in a row of the same T-shirt and sweats, they're a keeper.
29. If they always have the newest makeup, shoes, etc., don't assume anything, but you may want to observe their spending habits before you date.
30. If you ever decide to get married in college, don't listen to anyone that wants to give you relationship advice and hasn't been in a healthy marriage for a good amount of time.
31. The five second rule applies still 9/10 times, especially when your poor.
32. Get a roommate that doesn't snore, or get some earplugs.
33. Don't let laundry sit more than a week *guilty*.
34. Don't post political stuff unless you know what you are talking about.
35. Have everyone sign your yearbook.
36. Being a high school graduate puts the world at your fingertips, even when you feel like you're at the bottom. Making smart choices early will pay off years to come.
37. Grab your three best friends and head to the beach at sunset.
38. Remember all the good things, and let the bad help you not be naive.
39. As soon as you grab your diploma, the people that were mean or always seemed better than you will *poof* suddenly not matter anymore.
40. Passionate people are the happiest people.
41. It's funny to joke around about being poor with anyone under 24. After that age, you may find them not laughing at your jokes.
42. When you get to college, nobody flippin' cares about how much money your parents have.
43. Always schedule things around at least seven hours of sleep.
44. If your major allows it, go abroad. If it doesn't, (which mine really doesn't) go on a mission's trip.
45. Never stop volunteering, and don't just do it for scholarship applications.
46. On that note, never stop applying to scholarships.
47. In every situation, in every quarter or semester, in every season, be happy with yourself.
As upcoming grads, I wish you all the best in your endeavors, and that you continue to reach high, make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and be happy. Good luck to you all!!
