Dear high school Caitlin,

You have come so far from where you were. You accomplished so many things and yet made mistakes. You are so much stronger than you ever thought you were. I really could not be more proud.

I have so much advice for you. For starters, those popular girls? Yeah they won’t be popular in college so forget what they say or think about you. Actually, forget what anyone thinks about you. Make yourself happy, whatever that may be. Do not focus on the negatives people say about you. Instead, take what they say as advice and not criticism. Not everyone will like you and you will just need to get over that and stop being a people pleaser.

You are pretty in your own way. There will be people in life that say you are not beautiful but you are. You are bubbly and quirky. You are friendly but timid. You like to do things that put a smile on your face. You are pale and skinny. This is what makes you beautiful.

Do not stress over classes, a test, or grades. Everyone has a bad grade and it will not kill you or your chance of getting into college. Just relax and if you do your best, then the best is all you have. Also, professors or grades do not label you. A bad grade or what a professor thinks or says about you does not define you.

You can do anything that you set your mind to. If you want to graduate high school in three years then you can. Not a lot of people may believe in you, but I do. If you want to go to Disney World and work then you can. Do not let anyone discourage you from doing something you have your mind set on.

Those friends you have in high school with most likely not be your friends in college. Most kids and your friends are immature just like you. You and your friends will drift apart and become just friends via facebook. You will not talk or really communicate and it does suck but that is life. Instead, you will find lifelong friends in college. They may in your class, sorority, or even in your dorm. Do not fear losing friends because a lot of come and go.

Mom and Dad will be your biggest supporter and probably the closest people ever to you. You may not think this now but they will become your best friends. You will talk to them about anything, ask them for advice, and they will give you unconditionally love and support. Do not forget they will always be there for you.

That boyfriend you have right now probably won’t last. I hate to tell you, that the next three boyfriends will not be the one either. But you know what that is okay. You get to learn to be a better girlfriend from these other boyfriends to be the best you can when you do find the one. You will kiss a lot of frogs but you will find the guy that is everything you want, I promise.

It is not cool to smoke or drink. You will go through this party phase but trust me, avoid it at all costs. What is fun about going to a party and getting drunk and standing around starring at strangers? Nothing, so do not do it.

Also, it is okay to feel sad. Remember though, that there are a lot of people who love you. More than you even think. So do not feel like you are unwanted because that is far from the truth.

You will question if you are doing the right thing or on the right path. It is okay to question these things. You are weighing the pros and cons. It is okay to explore outside of your comfort zone. If you stay in your little bubble then you will never know what else could be out there.

You have come so far, and I am so proud of you. A lot of people are proud of you. You still have a lot of work to do and the unknown is still there. Push through it and remember my advice. You can do it.