Growing up is hard and it can be a very stressful process. There are so many things that we are experiencing at such a vulnerable time in our lives. There are so so so so many things that I know now, that I wish I knew when I was in high school. There are so many more things I would have done and so many more things I would have avoided, but life's just that: a learning process. Whether you, (who are reading this right now,) are in college or in high school, there are probably a lot of things I'm going to mention that you can hopefully relate to in some way.
A letter to the high school me...
Dear Young and Confused,
High school is rough. There is no way around that statement. You are going to make mistakes, and that's okay. You are going to do things that you regret, and that's okay to. High school is such an inadequate preview of what is to come in college and other future endeavors. High school, although valuable in preparing you for certain aspects in life/school, is such a small journey in the path towards who you are going to become. Yes, high school seems so important when you are there in the moment, but once you move on to bigger and better things you realize that it really holds very little meaning in your life. 20 years from now, people are going to care what you wore to class on November 5, or who you took to Junior prom.
Honestly, most people probably won't even remember who you are. Everything that seemed so important in high school is going to seem so irrelevant the second you leave those hallow halls. Nothing that mattered in high school is going to matter once you have graduated. Sure, you probably had a group of friends that you thought were going to be your bridesmaids; a group of friends you thought would keep in contact even once you were all graduated. Where are they at now? They probably all went to different school, and found different hobbies. You all grew up, you're not little kids anymore. Yeah, maybe you were lucky enough to keep some important friends along the way, but those who didn't care enough to put in effort probably faded off. Hey, maybe you're not even friends with some of them on social media anymore and who cares? You've moved on to bigger and better things, and so have they. It's called maturity. I'm sure you have, or will, find friends in college who truly will be your bridesmaid's when you finally find the "one," which leads me to my next point. He isn't "the one." He will never be "the one." He is just someone. He is someone who stole your baby heart in high school and will be but a faint memory in years to come. Don't lose yourself for him. Have fun with him and create memories that will last a lifetime, but don't give up doing the things that you love for someone who wouldn't do the same for you.
Don't ditch your friends and miss out on experiences in high school for him. He may be lovely, but he certainly isn't worth it. You are worth it. Love yourself more than he ever will. Don't get caught up in useless drama and remember that school is to better your own education. Focus on your grades and study for the things that you don't think you're ever going to need. Who cares if you won't need the Pythagorean theorem to figure out how to tip your waitress, learn it anyways. Expand your horizons and gain as much knowledge as you can, while you can. Get good grades and feel good about yourself for it. You'll thank yourself later. Live your life and don't get caught up in the high school stereotype because I promise it won't matter once you graduate.
Truth is, you're going to talk to nobody from high school and you're probably never going to see most of them again. You are moving on to bigger and better things. Life is about to talk you by the hand and whisk you away on a magnificent journey. College is a million times better, trust me.
Sincerely,
Older and Wiser
