Dear New Terrified Freshman,

I know that your stomach is in shreds right now. You feel like you could hurl. You're worried about your frizzy, dead hair and your horribly awkward personality.

I know this because I'll never forget those feelings—the first few days of high school have a lot of pressure. Every move you make and word you say has the potential to make or break you for the next four years. It will determine your friend group, your status, the outcome of your life in general. So no pressure.

That's just what you think, and of course it would be. Right now, this is all that seems to matter. The nightmare stage of middle school is behind you, and this is a chance to start over and be exactly who you want to be. And right now, you see absolutely nothing else besides these next four years. Honestly, you're probably not even thinking passed what you're doing Friday night.

I'm here to tell you that the pressure isn't real. It's not a life or death situation, and these issues that seem so crucial to you at the moment will pass. I want you to make the most out of these years and to grow into everything you want to become, but do not make yourself miserable over it.

Live in the moment. Stop trying so hard to impress people. Don't worry so much about being accepted. There's always going to be people who don't like you. You can't change their mind or do anything about it. So why are you fretting? Never force someone into your life who doesn't want to be there. You obviously don't need them either.

I know you want to make straight A's and get into a great school (you're a million miles away from thinking about college choices right now, but you're going to pick the perfect one—trust me). Don't cry over a sucky test grade or be jealous of the kid who always gets A's. I know you give it your all, but no matter where you go in the world, accept that there's always going to be someone smarter than you. You are brilliant, but it's inevitable. Don't let it eat at you.

Get as involved as you can in clubs and extracurriculars that you're truly interested in, and for once, don't care so much about what people might think about your choices. You're not worried about your college applications right now, but listing these will be crucial.

I know cheerleading seems like the most important part of your life at the moment, and it is a great sport to be involved in. But don't let it define who you are. You are so much more than a skirt and pom-poms.

You are going to make the most amazing friends who will forever do anything for you. Never let them go. Even if you grow apart in college, they will always be at your side whenever you need them. These people are rare.

Let boys be the last thing on your mind. They're fun now, but you're going to move away after high school and none of the ones around you will enter your mind again. Don't settle down and let them hold you back. They're going to hurt you, but know that in the realm of your life, your high school romances are minuscule. Learn from every experience.

Finally, don't stress about making these years "the best four years of your life". I'm so happy to tell you that they're not anywhere close to that. There's so much more to life than these halls. Enjoy every moment and have an amazing experience, but never stop thinking about the greater future.

Time moves fast. Spend more of it with your family, your friends, and the Lord.

Your hair will calm down, and believe it or not, you'll come out of that awkward shell (mostly).

Love,

Your Incredibly Happy, Future College Self