As a freshman in high school (and in college for that matter) I made a lot of mistakes that cost me grades, friends, and sanity. Right now I am doubling as a senior in high school and a sophomore in college, so take this advice from someone who will never have to be a freshman again! I have compiled a list of valuable information and tips for incoming high school freshman, because high school sucks, but you can make it better.

Mistake 1: Doing things just to get attention

For example; I know girls who pretended to be lesbians, people that made fake Instagram accounts to mess with people, and peers that would self-harm literally just to show everybody. The truth always comes out, and all these kids were was embarrassed instead of popular like they hoped.

And oh my gosh, please don't scream down the hallways just to get people to look at you and your friends.

On a similar note, do not talk to anybody about your personal, family, or love life. That stuff always gets out, even if you "only told your best friend". Write it in a diary, talk to a therapist/counselor, or your mom. The kids at school don't care about you and just want something to talk about. If you've been friends with somebody about a year or more, then it is usually safe to divulge those things, but you have to make sure that they're trustworthy human beings first.

Mistake 2: Being friends with people you...

a. Get a bad vibe from (Always trust your gut)

b. Know are bad people (Do things that will get you in trouble, or are bullies.)

c. Don't like or have a track record with (Trust me on this one. High school enemies do not change.)

d. Don't want to be friends with, but will based on anterior motives (I.e. Being friends with someone because they're popular.)

Be friends with the people who prove themselves to you. Be friends with the people who will stick up for you, and help you in your time of need. I tried so hard to be friends with my enemies, but they used me and tried to make a fool out of me at every turn. It's not worth it.

Mistake 3: Not fully focusing on academics

High school is where your grades actually matter. This is what colleges are going to see. You really need to learn to put your academics before your social life, because it will save you so much stress. Instead of going to the mall with your friend, invite them over to work on your projects together. If you choose to not do your assignments, you'll just be upset with yourself when you get points knocked off.

Also, I used to freak the heck out if I got a B in a class, but it turns out it's really not a big deal. Of course, strive for A's, but a B is still above average and won't kill your GPA.

(I didn't do this, but I watched others flail as ignored math homework dragged their grade down to no return.)

Mistake 4: Getting into fights

This goes on your record now. It was all fine and dandy in middle school, but guess what? This is high school, and high school is what colleges look at. Colleges aren't going to bring a fighter into their school.

I know how fun and relieving fighting is, especially when someone disrespected you, but you're disrespecting yourself if you lay a hand on them.

a. They're getting a reaction out of you, which is what they want.

b. You're going to get in trouble, despite who started it and what the reason was.

c. One fight has the chance to ruin your high school experience. I personally got kicked out of many clubs, and had to beg for only probation for one of them.

Bottom line: it wasn't worth it!

Mistake 5: Not joining an interesting club

This is a five time whammy.

a. This is where you can find friends that are interested in the same things you are interested in.

b. It's something "school" related, but shouldn't be agonizing if you actually like it.

c. Usually they have snacks!

d. And, of course, it looks good for college. (It looks great on your resume if you stayed with a club from freshman to senior year, especially if you moved up in rank over the course of those years.)

e. I got to travel a lot with the clubs I joined.

Throughout high school I did; College Readiness and Leadership Program, Student Council, Quiz Bowl, Volleyball, Turkish Olympiad, and Science Olympiad.

Mistake 6: Not considering sports for any reason

I've always been sporty, but I never wanted to show it because it used to embarrass me. My boyfriend and mom convinced me to try out for the new volleyball team when I was about to become a freshman, and it was one of the best high school choices I ever made.

I learned how to get along with people I may not like, I had a bond with my coach and could go talk to her whenever I needed to, I made friends, it kept me fit, heightened my reflexes, and gave me a passion that I never knew I had. If somebody didn't push me to make that decision, I wouldn't have, and my life would not be the same. Sports are worth a try even if you aren't a "sporty" person. I still wore makeup to games and complained about the baggy spandex I had to wear, but I played like I meant it because I loved the sport and wanted to win.

Girls, when you are trying out and playing a sport, you cannot be afraid to look stupid. If you're up-tight and worried about embarrassing yourself, trust me, you will embarrass yourself. The people on your team and in the crowd care way more about you winning than your appearance. You have to give the sport your all or you won't succeed.

Mistake 7: Trying to argue with teachers

Man, the teachers at my school absolutely loathed the way I dressed, which is actually crazy because I wore a uniform. They were always riding me about the shoes I wore (like boots in the winter), or the tightness of my jeans (even though I was 85 pounds and had to wear children's pants). Can you tell how salty I still am?

I know it drove me freaking nuts, but I wish I just changed what I was doing so I didn't get stalked and yelled at all the time by teachers. The teachers followed me around to make sure I was dressed "correctly". It was a pain in the butt, but I wish I didn't rebel. I could've talked to the principal, or said "okay" and walked away. I could've worn sneakers instead of insisting on wearing boots. I could have invested $5 on a cardigan on sale is instead of wearing a sweatshirt.

The stuff I did instead made for some pretty savage stories, but they made my teachers and I have less respect for each other, and that is not okay.

Mistake 8: Not being a "teacher's pet"

No, not like in middle school where that one annoying kid who wrote neatly would act like the teacher was a damsel in distress when the class wouldn't be quiet. A high school teacher's pet is a student who is quiet in class, does homework, and answers/asks questions. There are major payoffs of behaving in class. Your teacher will most likely choose you to run errands (yay, get out of class!) and will always say yes when you ask to use the restroom. Also, in the long run it's even better because they will write you glowing letters of recommendation to colleges.

Those are things that I either wish I did in high school, messed up in high school, or watched people mess up in high school. Take it from a seasoned school girl- you do not want to make those mistakes.