Dear High School Sophomore,

I know you must be so excited. You're no longer at the bottom! You made it past freshman year, even though you thought it would never end. You fought through teachers and lunch lines, got your first taste of freedom and took on every club and sport you could.

Now you're about to turn 16. Getting your own car and learning to drive is almost in your reach. I'm sure you're looking forward to meeting your new teachers, and reconnecting with the friends you lost touch with over the summer. You'll go from the Junior Varsity team to Varsity, and finally be ahead on the totem pole of high school. So many big things are going to happen to you this year. You'll grow older and wiser, and gain more responsibilities than you'll even know what to do with.

With all of this going on, there are some tips I want to share with you. These tips are things I wish someone would've told me when I was in high school. Listen carefully and really read this cynosure that will get you through your next three years of school.

Have fun, but don't lose sight of who you are.

This is the time in your life to stay up late talking to your best friend about anything and everything that pops into that sweet little head of yours. Not the time to go get drunk with the senior boys because everyone thinks it's "cool". Surround yourself with people who truly care about you, and people who respect who you are. Embark on fun adventures and discover new things about yourself and the people around you. Go to concerts, have swimming parties, just have fun! At this unencumbered age, you're more vulnerable than ever. Stay true to yourself, and never fall astray from that.

Take pictures, lots of pictures.

If there's one thing I regret most, it's not taking some insanely awesome pictures of my most treasured memories from high school. Take out your camera phone and snap photo shots of your best friends doing the things they love. Capture a picture of that unbelievably delicious desert you got from that new restaurant in town. It may seem silly now, but trust me, after you graduate you'll want to look back on those memories. Print them out, plaster them all over the walls of your bedroom. You don't have to have a fancy camera with 40 different lenses. You don't have to be a professional. Go buy a cheap disposable camera, and have at it.

That boy does not matter.

I've been through numerous break ups that have all broken me in a different way. I've stayed up late at night wondering where I went wrong, and why they didn't love me anymore. If nothing else resonates with you, please listen to this: Life goes on. Despite what you see in the movies, not every boy is the one for you. Sometimes, for whatever reason, relationships just don't work out. But no matter what, you'll learn lessons from each heart break that will prepare you for the rest of your life. Soak up your tears and go hang out with your girlfriends, because the right boy will be there eventually. Until then, don't worry about it.

It's okay to want to take a day and be lazy.

I'm not saying to be completely saxicolous, but you deserve to take some time for yourself. I'm sure if you're anything like me, you're really busy. You have school, clubs, sports, friends, family, church and everything else under the moon going on right now. Go ahead and sleep in on a Saturday morning, or take a Sunday afternoon to lay in bed and watch Netflix. What is it going to hurt? Some things can be put off, so don't forget to keep yourself sane. It's completely healthy take a breather every now and then.

Be happy.

No matter what you do, this is most important. Do not do anything that doesn't make you unconditionally and genuinely happy. Be who you are, and do what you want. If you love to write, then write until your heart is content. If you love to paint, then paint all you want, you little Picasso. No matter what you have your dreams set on, do everything in love and kindness. Through this, you'll gain complete and utter contentment. Don't get overwhelmed with boys, school work, and friends. Love your life and live it to fullest.

Above all, keep your head high, and take on the year with a full heart. Your days in high school shouldn't have to be miserable. Make the most of it, because once these days are over, there is no getting them back. Leave your past behind with no regrets.

With Love,

Someone Who's Been There