As I approach the final weeks of my first semester of college, I can’t help but look back on those four long, long years I spent at my high school. High school was a whirlwind of emotions. There were days where I swore I’d never see any of those god forsaken people again, but the next week I’d be so happy to call those people "my people." High school was long, hard, and tiring but it was also where I found myself and made some of my favorite memories. I went into my freshman year of high school completely blind, and here are some of the things I wish someone had told me.
Raise your hand.
If you know the answer raise your hand proud, even if you’re intimidated by the upperclassmen. Don’t let someone who is a year or two older than you scare you out of participating in class and taking full advantage of your own education.
Be nice to everyone.
The world can be a crappy place, so do all you can to make it that little bit better. Smile at your peers, help someone if they need it and ask your teachers how they’re doing.
All those stupid teen romance book and movies are just that stupid.
You are not going to find the love of your life in high school. Plain and simple. Your great, heart wrenching love is not in the roaming the halls waiting to pick up your books when you drop them, so stop looking for him and enjoy the freedom you have.
Girls can be really terrible.
You might think you know this already. You’ve dealt with mean girls before, calling you names and whispering behind your back but, high school breeds a new kind of mean girl. You’re best friends, sharing secrets and laughs and spending all your time together but one day that will all change. She invites everyone out but ‘forgets’ to text you, she’ll snapchat you to show you just how much fun she’s having without you and she’ll kiss the boy you swore you love. She didn’t mean it, though, she's growing and changing and so are you and it’s ok that you’re not growing and changing together.
Join a club or a team.
I thought I was too cool for organized sports and clubs until I joined my school’s dance team. Some of my best memories are with those girls and I love them all to this day. So join a club or a team and make friends you normally wouldn’t have! You’ll learn to know these people almost as well as you know yourself.
Listen to your parents.
They know what they’re talking about.
Wear what you want to wear.
“Life’s too short to wear boring clothes.”
"Life’s also too short to care what people think of what you’re wearing."
Do you want to wear a leather trench coat? Do it! That dress you bought on a whim and can’t return? Wear it! Sweatpants and t-shirt? All you! Whatever it is you want to wear, don’t let anyone else’s opinion change yours. Just rock it. It's very unlikely anyone will even notice.
It’s perfectly normal to go places by yourself.
You are more than capable of enjoying your own company. Some of my sweetest memories from high school were driving to the beach and listening to my favorite music, reading at my favorite coffee shop or just walking through the woods and staring at the sky and it’s totally cool that I was by myself. Just take some time to yourself, it will help I promise.
Cherish it!
Lastly, take advantage of your time in high school! Sorry to break it to you but it is definitely not going to be the ‘best four years of your life’ but that doesn’t mean it's going to be absolutely terrible either. Have fun with your friends, go to football games, actually read the books you’re assigned for english class, sleep in on the weekends and remember that high school doesn’t last forever.
