Moving on from high school changes your viewpoint on the past. Thinking about it, this is the advice I would've given myself.
1. Friends are what you make them.
The rumors of high school range from the worst four years of your life to the best four; and I think the same goes for the friendships you make there. Friends come and go, of course. I lost friends to their bad decisions. I lost friends to the petty drama. I lost friends simply because we stopped talking. There were people who were great to be around, but once we walked across that stage I never spoke to again. It happens. But some of the best friendships I’ve ever made came out of it. You get out what you put in.
2. Friends can be made anywhere.
By this I mean screw the hierarchy. Cliques will probably always exist in some way, shape, or form. But that doesn’t mean you have to follow them. I’m sure you have a core group of friends, but branch out sometimes. The experiences and relationships and even interests you will find for yourself will be so much greater. I hung out with that core group, yeah. I know there were people I misjudged. But I found some friends who had all kinds of labels. There is so much more to people than that, just as there is so much more to you than what others may think. Great people are everywhere.
3. High School is not about finding love.
I’d say I’ve had my fair share of boy crazy. All the ‘#relationship goals’ and Nicholas Sparks movies filled my head. But high school is NOT the time to be worrying about who you will spend the rest of your life with. Prom dates are overrated. I have been through and seen many crushes, relationships, breakups, makeups, feuds over boys, more breakups. Boyfriends/girlfriends will come and go. Slow songs are only about three minutes long. This should be a time about finding and loving yourself first. Have fun, don’t worry about some dumb boy. If a good one comes in along the way, great!
4. Colleges really do look at what you did in high school.
Now college isn’t everyone's forte and I get that. But imagine me when I got to junior year and realized I’d done nothing but goof off. It was like, "Oh crap, what have I done?" It’s been said a million times before, but school work should be a priority. Teachers are there to help you. Even teachers that aren’t your teacher, if you are really having issues. Utilize the knowledge on the internet. But they don’t just look at grades either, oh no, get involved! Every application I read one after the other asked what extracurriculars I was interested in, how I’d served in my community, etc., and I felt as though I had nothing! Not only does getting involved look good to them, but it’ll help you find yourself and what your interests are, what you might want to pursue one day. You might even make some friends with the same interests as you.
5. Take in all the opportunities given to you.
Go to sports events. Go to homecoming, prom, Sadie Hawkins. Go to the musicals and the plays. Go to pep rallies. Go to your friends party. Go to a friends youth group. Just go. Participate in spirit weeks and dress up days. People often regret the chances they didn’t take. Don’t let silly things get in your way (hint: You don’t need a date to everything). Of course you can’t do everything. But soak up every opportunity you can, before all you can think is what if?
6.High school is awkward.
There is no way around it. Everyone has their own story. Teenagers are awkward in general. Puberty, hormones, body changes, etc. It’s a time for people to figure things out. They question their sexuality. They need to figure out their spirituality. They change up their style. They contemplate what am I doing next? Awkward moments will come and they will pass. It’s all a part of the experience.
7. It really will all be over sooner than you think.
I know, I know. You’ve probably heard this a billion times. You probably don’t believe it at all. There were so many times where I thought to myself, “Will this ever end?” Those moments, classes, even semesters that just feel like forever! But then in the blink of an eye it’s the end of senior year and you have no idea where all the time went. It’s like a you pressed fast forward and now you have no idea what to do. So make the most of it while you can. The clock is always ticking, and before you no it time has ran out.
8. Be yourself.
Another one you’ve heard before, I’m sure. I know that you may not completely know who you are, or even what being yourself means. But it’s the most true and the best of advice that I could ever give to a high school student. High school will end. New chapters will begin. Friendships will begin and some will end. You will change your mind, and change it again, and that's okay. As long as you are following your heart and what makes you happy! What makes you proud! Follow yourself not others because high school ends. When everyone moves on to something else, you will still be you.
