High school brought a lot of laughs, tears, stress and memories, and I know I, along with many others, just wanted to graduate. Those four years were a time for both growth and mistakes—the mistakes I made a little too frequently. These mistakes came with lessons, lessons that would have made my high school experience a little easier:
1. One grade is just that—one grade
I know that F on your calculus test may seem like the end of the world, but it's not. One test is just one test, there will be more, and what you do to prepare for them is what really matters. Teachers want you to succeed, not fail. One bad grade is not worth the tears, and in the grand scheme of life, one grade is just a very, very small blip in the road.
2. There will be fights
I spent hours on end fighting with my mom, friends and boyfriend about issues that well, really aren't even issues. There are bigger problems than your mom not buying you that Kate Spade bag or your boyfriend not answering your text within the hour, I promise.
3. Your parents really are smarter than you
There's really no sneaking around when it comes to parents. That night you had a midnight curfew but really came home at 2? They knew—and you paid for it. That time you slipped a $20 and tried to lie when they asked how it could have disappeared? Trust me, your lying is no where as good as you think it is, and your parents are masters at sniffing out the truth.
4. The popular kids really aren't that popular
Looking back at the social hierarchy of my school, there really wasn't much that separated the "cool" kids from everyone else. Moreover, there were endless amounts of kids who were not in the "popular" group who, in my opinion, were awesome and cool—kids who actually came with fun stories and unique backgrounds. In the end, social status really doesn't define how cool a person is, and labels don't mean a single thing after high school.
5. Failure is the way to success
If there's ever a time to make mistakes, it's high school. This rollercoaster of a time will definitely come with a fair share of failures, whether it be on a test or in a relationship, but failure is just another way of knowing that there is more to come. If you don't succeed, try, try again.
6. Some friends will stay and some will go
Some friendships aren't meant to last forever, but that doesn't mean don't cherish it while it's there. Time is the true test to all relationships, and unfortunately, some friends won't make it all the way until graduation. In four years of high school there's a lot of room for change; interests change and people mature and grow apart, but it's life and everyone goes through it, I promise.
7. You are fine just the way you are
Unfortunately, much of my time in high school was spent comparing myself to other people—people who I rarely even think about today. Looking back, high school was probably the only time in my life where I felt any pressure to act, look or be a certain way—all of which become irrelevant after graduating. Trying to model yourself after someone or something else is extremely unnecessary because, well, you really are the best (and only) version of you, embrace it.
8. Enjoy it!
Regardless of the petty (and very irrational) fights, the sleepless nights and failing grades, I made some of my best memories throughout high school, not to mention some of my very best friends. A lot of good happens in high school, and it happens very, very fast. I spent high school wishing for it to end, but now I wish I could have stopped a little more to enjoy the time I had. You only get those four years once, so embrace the mistakes, spend a little less time worrying, and enjoy it.
