1. Wear comfortable shoes

Guys, I'm sure when it comes to dressing up for graduation that you do not have much of a shoe choice. But girls, you do. Take my advice and do NOT wear the tall, uncomfortable heels to the graduation ceremony. Trust me, you will be glad you went the comfortable route by the end of the day! Of course, choosing the comfortable route also means NOT wearing a new pair of shoes on graduation day!!! (If you do not take my advice with this tip, at least take some band-aids with you because I promise you will need them by the end of the day!!)

2. Take pictures with everyone

Do not let a current situation (like a dumb fight between you and your best friend since elementary school) affect whether you capture a special moment on camera or not. Let's face it: this is the final time your class will ALL be together. Take advantage of it and take all the pictures you can!! (make sure to get some pictures by yourself as well!!)

3. Go to the bathroom BEFORE

It's like your mom told you before a long road trip when you were a kid: "I don't care if you think you don't need to go now. You will soon, so you better go before we leave this house." Listen to your mom! It would not be good to need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the ceremony...

4. DON'T think about tripping

The more you think about tripping, the more likely it is to happen. You worry so much about it that you don't even really take in the moment you walk across the stage and receive your diploma. (This tip is another reason not to wear high, uncomfortable heels girls!!!)

5. Iron your gown beforehand

The gowns wrinkle really easily, so go ahead and iron beforehand to help prevent that!! (and your stoles too if you have any!!)

6. Shake your principal's hand with your RIGHT hand and grab your diploma with your LEFT hand

Trust me, this will save you from laughing off an awkward moment of slowing down the line when you tried to shake your principal's hand and then grab your diploma with the same hand. Plus, your parents are going to want the picture of you shaking the principal's hand and holding the diploma that the professional photographer takes. Don't mess up that shot!!

7. Plan AHEAD OF TIME where you will meet family after the ceremony

There will be people EVERYWHERE. Having a specific spot to meet following the ceremony will make the day run a lot smoother.

8. Make sure you are wearing your cap the CORRECT way

Do not wear it on the back of your head. It goes on top of your head. Girls, have bobby pins on hand because you're going to need them!! Don't worry about if it looks funny or not because the graduation caps don't really look good on anyone; it's part of it. Embrace it!!

9. Be smart about how you do your hair

Sorry guys, this one is more for the girls. Some girls prefer to curl their hair for special occasions while others prefer to straighten it. Do whichever you personally prefer, BUT test it ahead of time. By test it, I mean do your hair exactly how you would for graduation (curled or straightened) and try it on with the cap!!! It would be a nightmare to think you want it curled and then put your cap on when you get to the ceremony and realize you do not like the way it makes you look!!

10. It DOES matter what you are wearing under your gown

Most schools (if not all) have regulations and guidelines on what you are to wear under your gown anyway; however, a reminder always helps!! When you are taking pictures after the ceremony, you are more than likely going to want to unzip your gown. Be smart about what you wear underneath it because you will have these pictures to remember graduation day for the rest of your life!!

11. Make sure the diploma is always right side up

Whether it be for the professional picture you take right as you walk off stage or the millions of pictures you will take following the ceremony, take the time to make sure the diploma is NOT upside down.

12. DON'T be late

I promise you... traffic will be AWFUL !!! Just think: all parents, all extended family, and all friends of EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. in your class are also trying to get to the same place you are... make sure you leave home in plenty of time so you are not late!!!

13. Unplug from technology and enjoy the day

I love my phone and social media just as much as the next person, BUT today is a day you will never get again. You can post your picture with your best friend from after the ceremony tomorrow. Enjoy celebrating your accomplishments with friends and family TODAY!!

14. The secret to making your cords stay:

First off, don't forget your cords!! Secondly, the more cords you have, the harder they are to get to stay in place and stay even at the bottom. Here's the solution: Lay all of your cords out flat so that they are even on the bottom. Then, grab the middle of all the cords and place a ponytail around the middle of the cords (you may want to wrap the ponytail around several times). This keeps all of your cords even at the bottom and keeps them from moving around so much. The ponytail will even be hidden under your hair!! So problem solved!!

15. Thank your teachers

Surely you had a favorite teacher over the course of four years. Take a moment to sincerely thank them for all they did for you during high school. You really wouldn't be here without them.

16. Thank your parents

You wouldn't be here without them either. Yes, today is your day. But take a moment to thank the ones who have been there every step of the way.

17. ENJOY IT!!!

You made it through a crazy four years. It's time to celebrate. Enjoy the ceremony. Enjoy time with friends and family after the ceremony.

18. Remember: it's okay to cry because it's over BUT smile because it happened!!

Some people hated high school; others loved high school. Either way, you have probably been wishing the days away while counting down to graduation day since the first day of your senior year. Now that it's here, you realize that this chapter of your life is officially closing. Don't be afraid to shed a few tears because you are moving on and letting go of high school, but don't forget to smile when you look back on all the memories you have made over the last four years.

Reading this article now, you may think I'm crazy for saying you will cry... and maybe you won't. But, when the day comes at the end of summer and your friend group parts separate ways for college... you may not think I'm so crazy. It will finally hit you that all the cliches about how you WILL miss high school were true. I don't say this to be a Debbie Downer; I say this so you will TRULY ENJOY the days you have left with your class.

So here's to you Class of 2018!! Enjoy the days you have left in high school, and use these tips to make your day of celebration flow better and be more enjoyable!!