Dear high school me,
I’m writing to you from a point in my life where I’m not a girl, not yet a woman, as Queen Brit put it. I know you think you’re basically a woman already but trust me, I’m at least four years older and I’m not even a woman yet. I just wanted to remind you (and my current self) of some very important things.
Not everything is the end of the world. If I could change one thing about my high school years it would be to relax more. My most common fret was the rumor mill. I know you had a few rumors go around school, none of which were true, and you freaked out. Looking back, I can tell you the best thing to do is to not react. The children that start rumors want to get a rise out of you and you always gave it to them. However, sadly, these types of people will not vanish from your life after high school. There will always be provocateurs whether it be in college, at work, or even within your friends. Try your hardest to rise above it and remember, deep down they are sad little people that enjoy making other people miserable.
Also, stop obsessing over that boy. You know, the one you’ve “loved” since fourth grade. He doesn’t deserve you. If he hasn’t realized how awesome you are by now then he’s an idiot. And please, PLEASE, stop falling for his tricks. Boys have a sixth sense of knowing when you finally start to get over them and they’ll do that one thing that makes you fall for them again, which still happens even when they’re 22 years old. I’ve still never had a boyfriend and I’m proud of myself for that. High school me stressed a lot about my lack of relationships, but I have truly never met a guy that has been mature enough to not play games. They all say they hate crazy girls that play games but don’t let them fool you, they love them. I love that you were always straight forward when you liked a guy and I honestly think it will pay off.
You were never very confident until the last few months of senior year. I’m still not sure why… I think it was because our friends were always moving or changing schools so you never got comfortable with a set group of friends. But trust me, people like you. Be confident that you’re a good person that doesn’t lie or treat people badly and you’ll have plenty of friends. I know that sounds crazy to you right now since you can count on one hand how many people you talk to on a daily basis… including our Mom, but people like people that like themselves. When you’re confident with yourself and who you are, people gravitate to you; you don’t even have to try to make friends. Just make sure that confidence doesn’t turn into cockiness. No one likes a cocky a**hole.
Lastly, I know I’m writing this to a hypothetical high school me, but if I could actually change something about myself in high school, it would be to study. Don’t get me wrong, I got all A’s and was in AP classes, but not learning how to study when it wasn’t vital completely screwed me in college when I actually needed to study and had no idea how. That sounds stupid, but it was the first time in my life that hearing it in class wasn’t enough to make me learn it. It took me about two full years before I figured out the right way for me to study. Who knew there was an art to studying?
Anyways, I’m sure you wouldn’t listen to this even if I could actually give it to you because you think you know everything, but there is wisdom in knowing you don’t know. Now get back to lacrosse practice or shopping or whatever you were doing and remember to enjoy it while you can.
Sincerely,
College me
