Dear High School Bri,
Everyone says it is the best four years of your life. They tell you to enjoy it while you can. They say to make sure your homework is done on time. They tell you to join a sport or take an art class because it is good for you. No one tells you the things you need to know; they don’t mention the nitty gritty about what High School is really like.
Let’s start with the drama that you will go through between your friends. Yes, they love you and you love them but you will not keep them all. Always try to understand their side and if you are caught in the middle of two of your friends I only have one word for you: breathe. You will get through it just remember to stay object and neutral and DO NOT take a side. Unless of course the drama between the two of you is over a guy then you always pick your girlfriends side. Even if she gives you the death stare when she sees you with him it all works out and you will end up being really close; do not let him change your relationship with her. This change is never a good one.
What about the good changes though? No one ever told you exactly how much change is going to happen to you. I will tell you right now that most of the change you go through is going to suck and you are going to wish it never happened or you made a different decision. Don’t. I know you do not like change but a few years from now when you look back you will see how good that change was; trust me, I am speaking from experience. This means take every change that happens and welcome it with open arms; it makes your life a lot easier and much less stressful.
While we are on the topic of stress I mean it when I say do not sweat the small stuff. I know you are looking at me with that “I don’t know what you’re talking about” face but you do. It will be and IS okay if you do not get and A on every math test. Your teachers will not scream at you if you’re late to class a few times and don’t have a pass to excuse your tardy and your parents won’t either; believe me when I say that they too were tardy to class. Most importantly though, do not spend hours stressing about what to wear so that guy in your math class will notice you. You have been friends for years and if he really cares about you he will not care that you are wearing the same sweatpants you wore on Monday again today. I promise, ask him if you don’t believe me but he will give you the same answer.
However, that might be the only straight forward answer you get in high school. Most people will say high school is where you begin to find yourself and that is true but it takes confusion before you get anywhere. I will give you a hint to help you out though; don’t go looking for your answers let them find you.
The biggest answer you will find is that it is OK to be yourself and quite honestly that is the best way to live. It will not hit you until you walk across stage at graduation with your head down hating the fact that everyone is looking right at you but it will hit you. In that moment you will realize that is what high school has been trying to tell you all along and you will feel really stupid for not seeing it sooner. So do not try to be perfect twenty-four seven, live a little, and make mistakes; or, as Bob Ross (a man you will come to love watching videos of every Friday in your painting class) would say “there are no mistakes just happy little accidents.”
With love,
An older but still young at heart Brianna.
