High school is heralded as being the best years of a person’s life by some and the worst years by others. Regardless of which group you identify with, no one can deny that high school is a memorable experience. Four years can feel like a long time, and everyone is just trying to make the best out of their time in high school, so here are five things or pieces of advice I wish I had known before my freshman year of high school.

1. Your Teachers Are Not Your Enemies

Even though it is easy to resent your teachers when they pile on the homework or tests, the truth is that most teachers want nothing more than to see you do well. Students often forget that their teachers are people too, and regardless of what you may think, they are not out to get you. Even though some teachers are clearly better than others, almost all of them will go out of their way to help you succeed as long as you do your part and learn to communicate with them. If you aren’t doing well in a class even after studying and doing all the assigned work, don’t be afraid to ask your teachers for help. When you take the time to reach out to them you might be pleasantly surprised by their response. This extends even beyond the limits of school. Teachers can be great people to go to for advice, even on things that have nothing to with their class!

2. Keep An Open Mind

Venturing out of your comfort zone can be a very hard thing to do regardless of your age, but it can feel especially difficult in high school. Despite this fact, keeping an open mind is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Be willing to try new classes or extracurriculars. High school is a time to explore yourself and test out the waters to see what you truly enjoy. This doesn’t just apply to the academic aspect of high school but also the social one. It can be easy to latch onto a cliche that you like and spend all four years with these people, and while there is nothing wrong with that, you will find that people will surprise you. Don’t discount or dismiss other people based off of superficial judgments. They might end up being your best friends.

3. Appreciate The People:

This is the last time you will be around these people every day, whether that be your family, your friends or both. In college you don't spend eight hours a day with your friends, or 24 hours a day with your family so take advantage of this time while you can.

4. Put Your Mental Health First

There is a lot of pressure that comes along with being a student and doing well in school. And even the best student will find that they will at one point or another end up cramming for a major exam or doing their homework on the ride to school. And while it's important to do well in school, it shouldn't come at the sacrifice of your well-being. If you feel truly unhappy, make a change. And if you feel like you need a break, be kind to yourself and take one. It's better to take care of yourself so you can keep going long term than wearing yourself out. Going to bed early one night instead of pulling an all-nighter to studying won't kill you.

5. You Don’t Have To Be Smart

There is a myth that you have to be smart to do well in school, and that couldn't be farther than the truth. While it is true that being smart can help, the majority of doing well in school is simply just doing the work that your teachers give you. This means that it is completely in your control whether or not you do well. But it also means that grades are not an accurate measurement of intelligence. A bad grade doesn't mean you aren't capable or stupid, so don't beat yourself up about it.