Exactly three years ago, you were on the verge of beginning your high school career. And it has been quite the ride so far. Although I've still got a year left, the past three years have had some of the best and worst times of my life, but here I am stronger on the other side of junior year. So here are some things I wish I had known before I started my high school journey:

Time goes by fast, so make the most of it.

It all goes by in a blink. One moment you are walking into your first-period biology class freshman year, the next you're starting the college application process. Take time to step back and take in everything around you. Looking back you'll remember the highs and lows, so make memories to look back on and smile. Also, take more pictures for memories, because I would always forget and now I wish I had pictures to remember a certain time.

Don't underestimate yourself.

You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for. You think you aren't good enough, but that isn't true. You are going to accomplish things that you could never have ever imagined. You'll travel to cities near and far, working hard to get to the National FBLA and DECA competitions. You'll be speaking in front of crowds and audiences, even though you shudder at the thought of it now. Stop worrying about what you can't do, instead focus on what you can do.

No more procrastinating.

There's been a fair share of staying up late finishing that essay that you have had for a while when other things got in the way (aka Netflix). And even though you'll get it done, it was stressful. If you start working earlier it will take away the unnecessary stress. You have gotten better, but there is still room to improve. And there are going to be plenty of times when you'll wish you had started that assignment earlier, so all the advice I have for that is to plan, plan and plan some more!

Hard times come and go.

There have been challenges and times got hard. You questioned your values and your purpose. But you came out stronger. You've struggled with your health, with stress and accepting yourself. It may seem like things may never get better, but trust me they do. The important thing to remember is to never give up, don't let yourself stop trying and remind yourself that everything gets better with time.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

I get it you are worried. You don't if you have it in you to face all the challenges, you're worried about fitting in and you're worried about getting too stressed. But don't worry and stop being so hard on yourself. You'll make mistakes and you'll have bad days and that's okay. Just keep moving forward, only looking back to learn from your mistakes. Keep doing what you're doing and it will all work out in the end.

I'm proud of you.