Don't be disappointed in me. I know this is super cliché.

I'm going to be cliché.

First and foremost, you should know this: People stink. Really, they do. But people are also what make life wonderful.

Your tight-knit group of friends (and chances are, you’ll be part of multiple groups) will leave you out. And it will hurt your feelings. Sometimes, people make mistakes, or they forget, or they’re careless. Though it still hurts, we can’t hold our friends up to standards of perfection. That’s not fair. Other times, it may intentional, and that’s not very nice. You’ll learn eventually that you’d rather not be where you’re not wanted, and it will stop bothering you as much. And sometimes, it’s simply not what it seems. A couple of years ago, a group of my friends kept hanging out on weekend nights excluding me, and I was initially hurt. I later discovered that they were drinking and partying, and they knew I wouldn’t want to be a part of it anyway. Not only was this a good reason, but it showed me that these friends understood and respected my values and beliefs, which ended up touching me. We’re friends at school and other events, but I’m not their party buddy, and I’m fine with that.

Girls rule. I used to buy into “I’m friends with mostly boys because it’s less drama” too, but let me go ahead and tell you: Girls get you like a guy never will. Most of the time it’s one-on-one, or in a very small group, but girls are awesome, so don’t turn them away because you’re going to need their friendship one day.

Find a rant friend. Find a person you feel comfortable complaining to, someone you feel comfortable sending book-long text messages to in the middle of the night. Let them do the same with you. Be indignant for each other. They are your way of letting out all the frustration that has built up inside of you. They will keep you sane. They will offer advice. You will be so grateful for them, and you should let them know that often.

Find a healthy formof stress relief. Too often teenagers turn to activities that can hurt their bodies and minds as a way to relieve stress. Instead of ignoring your tension to avoid those things, you do need to find something to release it. Jog, sing, dance, draw, play an instrument, read a book, do something productive to keep your body and/or mind occupied for a little while each day.

Dating is not necessary, but it's not a bad thing either. Nearly every article like this I’ve ever read has said not to worry about boys, and I don’t disagree. Dating is totally not a necessary activity, and you need to grow on your own. However, I also think experience is important. If you want to date a boy and your parents approve, give it a try (just don’t take it too seriously). You’ll learn and know what to look for in the future. Most people don’t get it right the first time.

Take photosto capture your memories. You’ll probably delete that selfie you just posted a year from now, maybe less. You’re less likely to delete a picture of you laughing with your friends or of a cool experience you had. If you feel beautiful, take that selfie; don’t let adults look down on you for it. Be confident with yourself. But also keep in mind that we have to be careful not overfeed our egos. Back off sometimes, and take meaningful pictures too. And don’t take so many pictures that you actually don’t get to appreciate the experience while you’re there.

Stop with thesocial media posts to get attention. Shallowness leaves both the giver and the receiver feeling empty. (See: Small Minds Subtweet)

If you havesomething meaningful to tell someone, tell them! I’ve yet to meet someone that begrudges a spontaneous kind word. Overcome your uncertainty and hesitation. At worst, you’ll make someone’s day. At best, they’ll think of you fondly for the rest of their lives. If you’re like me and your words sometimes come out jumbled and not right, write a handwritten note, or send them a private message in their inbox. Don’t hold back on making others feel good; you’ll feel good too.

You're too bigto be a bully. I don’t mean as a high schooler you’re too old to bully. I mean you’re too good a person to cause pain.

Popular andwell-liked are not the same thing. Don’t worry about the former; you want to be the latter. Say hey to people you know in the hallway. Laugh when someone tells a lame joke. Lead your class in singing happy birthday to a peer. Advocate putting people on homecoming court that actually deserve to be there. Reach out to and include that person who never talks in class.

Teachers are human too. Whoever told you that teachers see right through kissing up told you a lie. Flattery gets to all of us. Teachers are much more willing to work things out with a student if the student is nice to him/her. Also keep in mind that teachers can be really cool, wise people. Form a relationship with your teachers, and you’ll enjoy your classes so much more. Most high school teachers entered the profession because they love kids and their subject. They love when you’re genuinely interested in their class, so go ahead and let them know!

"Google isyour best friend,” a teacher once told my class with a wink. How true.

Don't let other people determine how you dress. I don’t just mean you shouldn’t worry about looking good all of the time; it works the other way too. Many people were so used to me wearing t-shirts all the time that any day I put on makeup and a cute top, they’d ask, “Why do you look like that?” In fact, I used to feel more insecure on days that I intentionally looked good. Forget that. Put on your brightest, boldest lipstick. Wear your most unattractive sweatpants. Wear the lipstick and the sweatpants together. One year a friend and I painted our faces and hair yellow for Homecoming Week, and we looked horrifying, but we also made it in the year book. Have fun, and let the only thing that limits you be your school’s (probably ridiculous) dress code.

Get a job even if it’s just for summers or weekends. Find some way to earn your own cash, and save it. I split my money between a bank account for trips/experiences and a bank account for college. A job earns your parents’ respect and trust, looks great and a resume and opens the door for recommendation letters.

Say "thank you"often – to teachers who give you extra help, to friends who coach you through a math problem, to your parents. You do this for yourself as much as the giver. To avoid an attitude of entitlement, nurture your spirit of gratitude. (See: Two Words We Should Use To Make Daily Life Happier)

Make your parents proud. During high school, you begin to have a small grasp of everything they have done for you. They get much credit for the young lady you are.

Don't just be smart,be wise. Actually apply that knowledge that you’ve learned over the years and make good decisions and do good things.

Don't be afraid to question and challenge what you’ve been brought up thinking all of your life. Never be disrespectful, but you have a right to do your own research and form your own opinions. Blindly trusting what others have told you is a mindset you need to grow out of. For me, this process has strengthened my beliefs but has also made me more open-minded and understanding.

Following this line of thought, be friends with people that think and believe differently than you do. They add interest to your life and are a safe place for friendly debate and further understanding. Never get angry when someone’s views do not match up with your own. I’m glad we are made up of individual experiences, making us all wonderfully unique.

Find your happiness. Sometimes I see girls, particularly in middle school, trying so hard to fit in somewhere that they will never feel fulfilled. They’re looking in the wrong places to bring them happiness. Happiness doesn’t have one specific look. When you look at the cheerleaders, they’re happy. But when you look past them at the band kids, they’re happy too. A person’s source of joy is different for everyone, so do something you love, even if it’s not conventionally “cool.”

Embrace yourinner dorkiness. This is the single most important piece of advice I have to give. If you can barely keep up with the people you’re hanging out with now, chances are they aren’t the right group for you. I don’t mean you should only be friends with people that share your interests. Be friends with as many people as you can, but also learn to allow yourself to shamelessly love what you enjoy. For me, it has been marching band. I have been the geekiest of geeks, and sometimes I think I might explode from happiness on Friday nights. Find whatever that quirk is for you, and embrace it. Don’t worry if your best friend isn’t into it. Don’t worry about what other people think (They probably aren’t thinking anything. However, I have been lovingly called a nerd, to which I responded, “Heck yeah, I am!”). People with passion are fun to be around.

Make the mostof your high school experience. You’re setting yourself up for what you’ll do in college and in life. Make it worthwhile.