Dear High School Me,
Right now, you are probably worried about worksheets, SATs and applying to college. These all seem like the most important decisions you will ever make. Yes, SATs are important and choosing the right school is, too, but you have so much more waiting for you after you leave your town and move to a college campus. Don't worry that you aren't going to get into college that you want. You can make a home anywhere. The college you decide to go to can be a great place if you let it be.
Never forget your high school friends. They are your major support system. Keep in touch with them every once in a while, but as you finish up high school live up every moment with them. Go out to the movies, get milkshakes at midnight and just take random trips and blast your favorite songs. They'll always be there for you and you should always be there for them. You will meet some pretty great friends in college, too, but they will have a different type of friendship than your high school friends.
Also, stop worrying about boys. High School boys will go to their colleges, too. Don't worry about who is not texting you back or why he didn't ask you to homecoming. You do not need a date to homecoming. You'll realize that those times you just went with your girlfriends or friend group were the most memorable. Boys are silly in high school and don't know what they want, and, truth is, most of them still don't know what they want in college. The guys you meet in college will be a combination of the nicest and the rudest. The nice guys will become some of your closest friends, which is a good thing. Get rid of rude ones. You may think you need them, but you will be so much happier without them. The right guy will come when the time is right. You may get your heart broken a couple times, and it will feel like the end of the world, but it gets better day by day. Be yourself for everyone, don't change to get other people's approval.
Spend time with your family. Stay in with your family and have a movie night. Make dinner with your mom. Put away the phone and talk to them. Ask your dad about his day. Get breakfast with your sibling. Trust me, when you get to school you will miss all of this and wish you did it more. Coming home for the first time after being at school it will feel like heaven just to be home again.
This last tip is one of the most important. Study, study and study. Learn the best study tactics in high school because studying is a huge difference in college. You will not pass any classes without putting all of your effort into being on top of all of your classes. Grades are more important than you think and there are usually three exams that determine your final grade. So, make sure you study, study, study.
Just live in the moments while you can in high school. Life will become an even bigger roller coaster than you think, but it is all going to be OK. You will be great at everything you want to succeed in. Laugh with your friends, remember the ones in your class and do your best in school.
I wish you the best and I'll see you soon.
Sincerely,
Me
