It’s your senior prom, you didn't get asked to go, and all you can think is “this sucks.” I’m not going to beat around the bush, it does. "High School Musical 3" got your hopes up to have a Troy Bolton come and ask you to your senior prom from the tallest tree, only to leave you feeling like you fell off and hit rock bottom. Well, sister, you’re not alone. I was in your place a year ago and, in fact, my junior year as well. I didn’t ever go to prom, and look at me—I am alive and doing pretty well, if I do say so myself.

For the next couple of weeks, prom is all people are going to be talking about. From how they got asked to their dress, picture locations, and more. All while you sit there and answer for the billionth time, “I don’t think I’m going” and get the same, “aww, girl, you should just go by yourself” response. Which isn’t helpful or sympathetic in your eyes.

The day of the dance comes, and while everyone else gets ready, you finish up that homework due Monday and watch the one too many Snapchat stories of girls getting their hair and makeup done. You decide to be the good friend you are and go support your best friends at their prom pictures in your shorts and baggy t-shirt, only to head back and have a movie night with your parents.

Boys don’t realize how lucky they would’ve been to take you, and I can only imagine how intimidating it must be to take someone like you to the biggest dance of the year. As easy as it is to point fingers, let’s realize that the world is full of much more than high school dances and you are much more than the dances you did or didn’t go to.

Please remember your self-worth is not and should not be based on a 17-year-old boys' views of you. You have a family who loves you, friends who would be nowhere without your constant advice and support, and a dog who puts you on a pedestal. Keep in mind, boys' brains don’t develop until they’re 25 anyway, so they’re going to make a few more mistakes with girls before they finally are smart enough to see a confident and awesome girl when she’s in front of them.

I promise after prom blows over, the best is yet to come. Everyone begins to focus on graduation, and you’re right back into the conversation. While after a week it will be a distant memory, a year from now, you’ll be like me, reflecting on this time and remembering how hard it was, but laughing at how big of a deal it seemed and now realizing what little impact it really has on your life after high school.

I didn’t go to prom, but I did end up going to the college of my dreams. I did get into a sorority. I did have a date to my first winter formal. I do still have all of my high school friends. I do continue to watch Netflix way too often. Just because this one time I didn’t go to “the biggest dance of my entire life,” that hasn’t stopped me from doing great things, being me, and living an incredible life. After high school, no one cares if you went to prom or not. Your friends in college just want to move on and find someone who loves late night Taco Bell as much as they do.

While these next couple of weeks go by, be the best person you can be; smile as people talk about their plans and try your best to be genuinely excited for them. Do everything you can to help everyone have a great night, because if you can’t be there, you might as well make sure everyone who is has a magical night. You’d want them to do the same for you if roles were reversed, right? In the end, I guarantee that will leave a lasting impression on the kind of person you are.

Push through and remember all of the exciting things heading your way. Forget about “what could be” and prepare yourself for “what is about to be." You’re more than that expensive prom dress and prince charming date. You’re an independent, beautiful, and appreciated girl with a bright future that can’t be stopped. After all, who needs to spend a night in heels when you have fuzzy socks, ice cream, and your dog waiting for you at home instead?