Dear High School Freshmen,

I know you're starting an incredible journey, and I know everyone says they hate high school, and it's "cool" to hate high school, but once you're done this world gets all kinds of crazy and scary. So please, enjoy it.

I know right now it seems bizarre to think that you'll miss the pep rallies and the dances, and even your teachers, but you will. High School sucks when you're in it, but those days are some of the best you'll ever have. So just, go. Do it. Be a high school student. Go to the pep rallies. Get hype! Root on your teams! Do the stupid face painting. Plan out stupid themed outfits for you and your friends to wear to games. Go crazy with school spirit. It's okay, I promise.

Also, do not go around acting like you're the coolest human alive. That might have been okay in middle school, but you're the young people now. All you'll do is irritate the upperclassmen. Who, by the way, will not be vicious freshman killers like the media wants you to think. They'll either take you under their wing, or ignore you. It just depends.

Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Take some seriously fun extracurriculars. Try out marching band, meet some exceptional, and incredibly weird, kids. Or try drama! See how it feels up on the stage, with the lights and the spontaneous dance parties when you have subs. (Also, if they have stage props, free play things during class! Just saying). Take wood shop, Shakespeare, auto, journalism or anything else that seems even remotely interesting. Join after school events. Try out for things. It doesn't matter if you get it or not, as long as you try.

As a former high school student, I know how rough it is when you're so focused on hating school that you forget to enjoy your time stuck there. It's only miserable if you let it be. So don't just go to class and go home. TRY EVERYTHING. You never know what's gonna make you happy, or where you'll fit in super well. You gotta find your people, otherwise it is gonna suck.

Lastly, don't worry about looking stupid. Geek out with your friends. Throw stupid get-togethers and act dumb with your best friend. Plan days where all of your friends wear onesies to school, participate in spirit weeks. Go nuts. The crazier you get, the more fun it is.

I promise you, these four years are gonna go by way too fast. [Insert scoff and eye roll here] (See? I know you. I was there too). All the adults who tell you these are the best years of your life, they're completely right. You're gonna miss these people one day. You're gonna miss this school, and these friends, and these assemblies, and these teachers. When you walk in the doors on your last day, you might cry. You're gonna look at the friends you've made here, and notice the ones you've lost, and you're gonna realize how much you've all grown, and you're gonna be sad because it's never gonna be the same after this.

Sincerely,

A (Nostalgic) High School Graduate