You’re going to hate me for writing this on social media. I’m going to embarrass you by trying to make you read one of my articles with sayings that make it seem like I try too hard, and are too philosophical that you say you don’t understand (even though you do understand, because I know you’re a smart kid).

You’ve got two siblings in college now. I know that you want absolutely nothing to do with us. You don’t want to be compared to us. Not academically, not socially, not at all. I know the last thing you want is wisdom from your geeky older sister, but I just had to get this off of my chest.

First, I love you, and I’m so proud of you. When I was a sophomore, I was full of angst and bitterness, but the way you let drama roll off of your back like a glass of water absolutely inspires me. Let’s be honest, no matter how you take the drama and the rumors, high school is brutal for everyone. Friend drama, enemy drama, boyfriend drama, family drama. Drama drama drama. It’s everywhere. If it ever gets to you, and you don’t want to call me up and ask me for advice at the time, just try to remember this: None. Of. It. Matters.

(Warning: here I go with the sappy stuff.)

The way I look at it, high school is like a dream—or a nightmare I guess. When you’re in the middle of it, it seems like this is all there is. When you dream, you don’t realize you’re sleeping. So, to you, your surroundings are all there ever have been and all there ever will be. The moment you are in—running from the monsters, the bullies, the pop quizzes, and the embarrassing incidents—seems eternal to you. It gives you a good reason to panic.

Spoiler alert, this is what happens next. You graduate. You choose where you go to school and all of a sudden you wake up. You see that high school was all a dream; it wasn’t real. You’re safe and you have the rest of the day, the rest of your life really, to actually make something of yourself.

So yeah, high school is featured in Disney channel movies and sitcoms all the time, so we think it’s going to be the most memorable years of our lives. I know I basically just said that high school has very little significance in the long run, but what about right now? The little parts. It's up to you whether high school is a dream or a nightmare. Try to remember that there are parts of it that are great. Cherish mom and dad still paying for everything, cherish your time at home, cherish the time spent with our dog, cherish the Friday night lights and the homecoming dances. Keep your heart open to making new friends, take runs to McDonald's after volleyball practices. Make the best of this time while you do have it, because, obviously, it's a lot less fun to wake up from a nightmare than a dream.

I know you don't like being compared to your older siblings, but that's a good thing. Your high school years are completely your own, what are you going to do with them? I can't wait to see.