1. Don't be nervous.
Even in the small high school of 300 I remember being terrified for my first day. Walking past the seniors that wished they didn't have to be there, the juniors that wished they were seniors, the sophomores that were just glad they were no longer freshmen, and then I was in my hallway. As I looked back on that day throughout all four years and each year I laughed a little more because what was I nervous for? No one would remember anything I did that day except for me, so don't be nervous. Everyone has felt that exact same way at least once.
2. Choose friends over boys.
No, I do not regret any of my relationships throughout high school. Each and every one taught me something about myself. But friends. Friends are the people that are going to get you through those long study nights, the hard sports losses, and the eventual relationship breakups. I'm not saying relationships are bad, they're great. Sometimes they even last after graduation, but high school is the time you figure out who you are and develop your own personality, don't let a boy determine who you will be for the rest of your life.
3. Study a little longer.
You're burned out. All you want to do is watch Netflix in your bed and forget about that test tomorrow. Study for it. No, don't have a last-minute study session at lunch while shoving food in your mouth. Take a few hours and actually learn the material. You'll get a better grade and it will feel so rewarding. Especially when it comes to finals and you're not figuring out that you need a 98% to get that grade you want. Instead you could get a 62% and still maintain your A all because you studied a little harder and longer for those tests.
4. Talk to people.
Step out of your comfort zone. That girl that sits in the back row and doesn't say much and it truly the quietest person in the world, but really she's the smartest and kindest person you've met and eventually she becomes your best friend. The people that you reach out to will reciprocate. They will be the people that when you go your separate ways for college still talk to you.
5. Plan for college.
Freshmen and sophomores, DO NOT FREAK OUT. Don't compare yourselves to the one student that knows exactly what she wants to do and where she will go to do it. Focus on you and just start looking around. Juniors, START APPLYING. Do not wait. Take it from me, I was filling out applications the night they were due, yelling at my mom because I didn't know what my weighted and unweighted GPAs were. Seniors, hopefully you have all of your applications done and are finding roommates. Get excited for college and the next part of your life. Don't worry if you're unsure about what you'll major in or what you'll do with it after four years of college, you'll figure it out as you go.
