I may only be eighteen, but I've learned a few things since those years passed.
To the young me in high school, this is what I now know is important:
Be yourself.
I know that all the drama in middle made you think that everyone had to like you, but screw that. Quit pretending—you don’t like that band, you don’t want to go to that place, you enjoy spending time with those people. Pretending gets really old really fast, and after four long years, the only personality you have is made up of the bits and pieces you’ve picked from everyone else but none of it is you.
Attend everything, even the lame stuff.
I know it may seem cool to write off school dances and think you’re too cool for them, but go anyway. Honestly, the too-cool-for-school look isn’t good on you. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time on it, just go to have a fun time with your friends. You won’t regret it.
Stop caring about what anyone thinks.
After graduation you will see maybe five of the 266 people in your class. Let whatever they say go in one ear and out the other. I know it’s hard to think three or four years down the line but, honestly, they go by so quickly. Take this time to be with people who you care about and who care about you, and forget everyone else.
Your grades don’t make you better than anyone else.
It’s hard not to get caught up in being in advanced classes and on the honor roll but, get over yourself. You aren’t any more valuable as a person than anyone else because you’re an AP student. For the love of God, nobody cares. It’s great that you care about your education, but life is so much more than class ranks and certificates.
Take better care of yourself.
You aren’t worthless; you are human and you are bound to make mistakes. Those mistakes aren’t who you are or are going to be. Stressing yourself out about everything won't help and will only continue to bring you down til you hit rock bottom. No matter what, never stop loving yourself.
He doesn’t love you
Despite what he says, he doesn’t love or care about you. He’s not sorry when he says those things to you and it will happen again. Don’t let him tell you that love has conditions, you don’t have to do anything to “earn” his affection. Stop settling for less than you deserve and let him go.
Life isn’t a movie.
The high school portrayal in fictional movies is just that—fictional. It’s cute that you want the "Legally Blonde" soundtrack to be your soundtrack, but life doesn’t work that way. Every moment isn’t going to be magical and life changing. Not everything has to be perfect when you’re the only one following the script. Stop trying to live someone else’s story and make your own.
As much as I wish that I knew these things in high school, I wouldn’t change a thing. All those experiences helped create the person I am today, and as far as I’m concerned, I turned out pretty damn good.
