With all the catty drama, awkward stages, and 6-hour school days, it can be easy to give high school a bad rep.

Forget what they told you. High school can be the best four years of your life. Stay true to who you are, appreciate the people around you, and accept a little help along the way. High School is what you make it. Appreciate the little moments.

1. Try everything.

Sign up for everything and anything that sounds interesting. The worse thing that can happen is that you realize it’s not for you and drop it. Or maybe it's your lifelong passion? Only way to find out is to try it out.

2. It’s okay to put extracurricular passions before schoolwork sometimes.

After I got to college, no one asked me what my high school GPA was, but they did want to know what I did in high school, and more importantly what my passions are now. My extracurricular involvement in high school taught me more than I ever learned in the classroom. It's shaped my future in a big way. Find something that gives you a reason to wake up every morning.

3. Get a minimum wage job.

Working as a waitress at a local burger place definitely had its pros and cons, but it gave me a greater appreciation for the food industry and allowed me to meet so many different people. Getting experience working a traditional, minimum wage job gives you a lot more value than just some spare change in your pocket.

4. Go to every game.

Dress the theme. Sit front row. Lead the cheers. School spirit is what makes your high school experience special. Embrace it.

5. Say “no” less.

Get out of your comfort zone. Experience as much as you can. When people ask you to do things or go places, go. You have your whole life to hold yourself back and say no.

6. Have multiple friend groups.

Try not to always hang out with the same people. Continue to branch out and talk to new people. Gaining new perspectives is invaluable and will help you grow.

7. Be open-minded.

High School exposes you to a lot of new things and new people. Try to get to know as many different people as you can. Judging people won’t get you anywhere.

8. Don’t let the haters stop you.

People will judge, it’s part of human nature. However, you are the only one who gets the last say in who you are. If they have nothing better to do than talk about you, then that is a reflection on their character, not yours.

9. Realize that change is a good thing.

People change a lot through high school, it’s only natural. So appreciate the person you’ve become and realize that you are going to keep changing.

10. High school is not forever, but it also isn’t horrible.

Whether you “peaked” in high school, or you are counting the days until graduation, remember that high school is a small part in a much bigger picture. Learn from it, grow from it, and get every lesson and life experience you can while you are there.