Dear Little High School Freshman,
I want you to know that you are going to kill it. All those doubts, anxieties, and lost nights of sleep will be worth it. I'm not saying it is going to be easy, though, because then I would be lying. What I will tell you, and as cliche as it sounds, high school will be a roller coaster for you. There will be ups with you on top of the world, and downs that make you lose your stomach and want off. Through it all though you will grow stronger, a bigger more determined version of yourself. Don't fight the changes that come.
Friends will come and go and you need to realize that sometimes you can't fight for them anymore. That friend that calls you at 3 am to tell you about this story she found? Cherish it. You might be so angry that you were woken up for that but the next day and later on down the road you will love those late night conversations. That one guy that you always can talk to? Keep him around! Ignore those constant jokes about how you two are made to get married and just love that fact that you have someone who knows you so well. The one girl that is always getting on your nerves? Allow her words to roll off your back. She doesn't need to know how much it bothers you and you shouldn't put up with the stress and frustration that comes with her friendship.
Don't stress about school. You have it in you to succeed. There is no reason you can't do something you put your mind to. If you apply yourself anything can be achieved. Keep up with those sports too. It may seem overwhelming at times but you will look back and love every second of sweat and team work.
Don't forget about your family. As much fun as team dinners are know, you can never go back to the times when your aunt was in town or the cookout at your grandpa's. Know that your family is going to be the group of people that you can always run to. Sometimes friends will not have enough time (or so they say) to talk with you or go for a walk but your family will never turn away from you.
Remember that you are never alone. Your teachers will not bite your head off. You have amazing friends and family. You will grow over these next four years. Embrace it because you will look back and remember how scared you were. You will look back and love how you handled yourself knowing that you could accomplish anything.
Sincerely,
Still Little, College Freshman
