Get ready for an awesome four years of high school. You’ll have the best time of your life, meet lots of new friends, and try tons of new things...but you’ll also have to work a lot harder and do things that might be out of your comfort zone. Here are some things I wish I knew when I was starting this new and exciting chapter of my life.

1. Stop worrying so much.

I know, I know. It sounds like the simplest advice to give but not so easy to carry out. What if I don’t make any friends? Where are all my classes? How hard is my homework going to be? What if no one likes me?

All of these things might seem scary to you now, but before you know it those first couple weeks will be over and September will be long gone. You won’t even remember how you became so close with all of your new friends but you’ll be glad you did.

Within a couple weeks, you’ll have the whole school memorized and homework will be a breeze. So just breathe and try to make the most of the beginning of your high school experience.

2. Say thank you.

As much as you may hate your teachers for all of the homework they’re giving you, just remember that their number one goal is to see you succeed. High school may be a little tougher than middle school, but these wonderful people are just preparing you for college and the rest of your life. Cut them a little slack.

And don’t forget about your parents. Thank them for coming to every single game or helping you with your homework every night. Thank them for the $10 they give you even when it’s the third time you’ve asked for money this week. They go to work every day to send you to school to make sure you get the best education possible, so a simple thank you and a kiss on the cheek won’t kill you.

3. GO TO EVERYTHING (even if it’s out of your comfort zone)

You might think I’m overexaggerating. I’m not. Go to Homecoming, go to Prom, go to the home volleyball, baseball, basketball AND soccer games. Go to a swim meet, spelling bee and the fall play. Get involved and join anything that interests you. You’ll not only meet tons of new people that share some common interests with you, but you’ll also have a blast trying all of these new things.

4. Get your homework done.

Seriously. Academics come first, so just make sure you prioritize your time. Don’t procrastinate. Take good notes, stay on top of assignments, and study for tests.

5. Just be you.

It sounds cliché, but you really needed to hear it. Stop comparing yourself to others and worrying about what everyone else thinks. Your personality and appearance are perfect just the way they are so don’t try to change them.