As I begin this new chapter of my life I can't help but think of all the things I will be missing. I won't be able to pick you up from school and get ice cream when we are having bad days. I won't get to watch those awful romance movies with you or listen to your crazy corny jokes.
While I'll miss all these things so much it is nothing compared to the ache I felt when I realized I'll be missing so many of your firsts that come along with high school. I hate that I won't be able to help you get ready for your first homecoming. That I won't be there when you pass your drivers test, hopefully, on the first try. Most of all I hate that you are going to grow up and I won't be able to see it.
High School is a tricky time. It's when you are trying to figure out yourself while also trying to be just like everybody and fit in. Trust me I know it's super weird, but it is also kinda amazing. You will have some of the greatest times of your life and some of the worst. All of that's ok just make sure you don't let the bad times define or overshadow the good ones. Life is about learning. So here is your big sis' high school survival guide.
Your grades don't define you- I of all people know it's easy to get sucked into the competition of who has the better grades. Especially with people bragging about their GPA, SAT and ACT scores. High school is hard I'm not going to lie it goes from playing in sandboxes to staying up until 3 a.m. because you have 300 pages of reading for AP History.
With that being said don't beat yourself up over the B- you got on that big test. It will not break you and you won't even remember what grade you got in a few years.
Don't slack off- While grades aren't everything they are still important. Do all your homework, as boring as it may be it will help you in the long run. Read all the required and optional books, they teach you some of the greatest life lessons.
You don't need a date to have fun - I remember being bummed out when all my friends had great relationships while I was single. I wanted to be the one going on dates and doing cute couple things. Even though all of that is fun, you're still super cool even when you're single! To learn how to be your own boyfriend. Take yourself out on dates, buy yourself presents and go to all the dances and parties even if you don't have a boy to bring. You can totally have fun all by yourself.
Never change for anyone- There's no need to change anything about yourself to try to fit in. I never want you to feel like you have to dilute your personality to make other people more comfortable. No matter what you do, do it proudly. Be bold, be courageous, be loud, funny and wild, and embrace your crazy personality. Never apologize for being exactly who you are. Sure, some people might not like it, but the people who stick around love you for your true self.
Make friends from all walks of life- don't be that girl the stuck to ONE pack of two to three others, and never spoke to anyone else. Don't be that girl. Take your close friends and keep them close, yes. However, it's equally important to meet people who are different from you. Find those who you cannot relate to in terms of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, culture, or interest, and learn about them. Become their friend. You will grow because of it.
Stay above the drama - Always remember: drama doesn't just walk into your life, you either create it, invite it, or associate with it. Don't do what I did and wait until graduation to rid yourself from toxic "friends" or people that just bring you down. Hang out with people who lift up your spirit and make you laugh, like really laugh.
Do what makes you happy - If you want to stay home all weekend with a blanket, and eat a whole pack of cookies while watching Netflix, go ahead do it. If you want to go out with your friends, go! Make sure whatever you do makes you happy
Don't let a boy be the center of your world - I know in high school there is such a big emphasis on having a boyfriend but I'm going to let you in on a secret, boys aren't shit. Do not ever let a boy control you or determine your self-worth.
Get involved in anything and everything - Definitely get involved in as much as you can. Play a sport, join a club or multiple clubs, or join the dance team. You will not regret trying something new and meeting new people along the way. You may be nervous but just go for it
Just be kind - Others might not think you're 'cool' if you're nice to the 'uncool' kids, but believe me, looking back, you'll respect yourself so much more for being 'kind' than for being 'cool'. Ten years later, the only people who will care about who was cool and who wasn't are the people who haven't made anything of themselves and cling to their high school popularity. Girls can be assholes to each other. Don't be one of those assholes.
No one really likes those girls, they don't even like themselves. You aren't a mean person. Don't let anyone else trick you into being one.
Don't worry about things that are not in your control - Always remember that what other people say or think about you is one of those things you can't control. What other people say about you shows who they are, not who you are. Don't kiss up to anyone, always be unapologetically you.
Enjoy high school - Make the most of it because, after high school, you will wish you were back. �Don't take for granted being there because you will look back on these memories you create and wonder how it could have gone by so quickly. One day you will be thinking you'll never get out of there and the next you'll be graduated wishing you had just a few more days.
The best advice I can give you at this point is to dream big, work hard, stay focused, surround yourself with good people, and be a good person. Remember all of these things when you need to, but most importantly, ALWAYS remember that I love you. I'm only a phone call or 5-hour drive away if you ever need me.
