Sometimes when I think about my four years of high school, I wish I could go back in time and change certain things that I have done. I often imagine myself as a senior in high school about to enter the real world being able to speak to my fourteen year old self and tell her all about everything she will encounter over the next four years of high school. This is a letter from my seventeen year old self to my fourteen year old self.

Dear 14 Year Old Me,

It is currently your summer vacation, and you're very nervous about starting high school this September. Throughout the years, you will encounter many opportunities in your favor as well as obstacles that you will overcome. To help boost your self confidence about this journey, here are 10 tips you should keep in mind.

1. Don't Worry About What Other People Post On Social Media

When you are scrolling through social media and you come across pictures of students from your school dancing at a party, please don't dwell on the fact that you're home in your pajamas that night. It will keep you up at night unnecessarily and you will find out that it was only a select number of students from your school at that party, and most people were home in their pajamas as well. Also, the things you thought revolved around you actually don't have anything to do with you at all!

2. Make Sure You Have Plenty Of Time To Get Ready In The Morning

Please give yourself at least an hour and a half to get ready for school. You will be on time every day and you won't have to worry about serving all those unnecessary detentions after school. Also, pick out your outfit before you go to bed. That way, you can have more time in the morning to do your hair and makeup without worrying about the time constraint.

3. Don't Waste Your Time On That One Boy

You know that one boy that you have a crush on? He is NOT the one for you! Please only say hello and goodbye, because he's not worth your time. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Also, try and wait until you are mature and ready enough to go into the dating world — you are only fourteen! There is no rush to find a man right now, but you will find true love someday!

4. Craft Activities Will Become Your Best Friend

When you discover the rainbow loom your sophomore year, it will become your best friend for two years. Making bracelets on the rainbow loom helps to reduce high levels of anxiety and stress, so please use it to your advantage. It may be hard at first but once you get the hang of it, you will be using it constantly during your free time.

5. Your Love and Admiration For Theatre Will Grow Even Stronger

Your passion of performing will only grow from here. It will skyrocket through the roof! You will receive your first lead role very soon and you will eventually join another theatre company along with the wonderful company you are in now! Don't be afraid to audition for the school musical! High school theatre will be amazing once you get in. Try to make it happen earlier. Besides growing and developing your acting and signing abilities, you will make a close friendship pact with just about everyone you meet!

6. Study Harder

You will pass all of your regents and finals, but don't just study for those! Study for all of your tests as well so you can get better opportunities as time goes by. Don't worry, you will ace that SAT and get into all 10 colleges that you will eventually apply to! Try your best, and don't get yourself too stressed out! Don't just hover with a book, you can still go out and have fun but study a little bit each night and not save everything for the night before. Otherwise, your stress levels will skyrocket through the roof.

7. Get Involved In Extra Curricular Activities

Don't just go home and sit on your butt after school. Get involved in afterschool activities! Join as many clubs as you can so you can make more friends and not feel lonely. There are plenty of opportunities available for you so do not be afraid to use them.

8. Worry Less About What Other People Think Of You

Not everything that you will hear is about you, so don't make presumptions. Also, it is not about the gossipers, either. In order to love others, you must love yourself first. As the years go by, almost everyone in your grade will mature.

9. Don't Rush to be the First One to Drive

You may not be the first one in your class to drive to school, but that is completely okay! You will be taking Drivers Ed the same time as everyone else. However, you should be thankful that your parents will practice driving with you for a year and a half before you take the road test, because you will pass the test on your first try!

10. Finally, Always Be Thankful For Your Parents

Finally, always remember how lucky you are to have such a supportive family who loves and cares about you! Always listen to your parents and when they say no, they are only saying no to protect you, not hurt you. They will always be there for you no matter what you are going through. You always have their backs and they always have yours.

Most of all, I would like to remind you to always enjoy life to the fullest and enjoy life whenever you can. You have four amazing years ahead of you. I wish you the best of luck!

Sincerely,

Staci Ertel (Age 17)