Even though I graduated from high school less than three months ago, I've already realized that there are things that I wish I would've known. I hope people that are still in high school will find these 10 things I wish I had known useful:
1. High school is not the best four years of your life.
I don't know who said that they were, but that person was wrong. It is four years of constantly stressing over homework, tests and ACT/SAT scores. That's just not what comes to mind when I think of the best years of my life. Yes, there will still be tests and homework in college, but at least at college you'll have more freedom.
2. One bad grade won't kill you.
Unlike most college professors, your high school teachers probably give you a lot of grades. One bad grade won't hurt you too bad unless you make it a habit of it. So next time you forget to study for that test, don't stress. It's not the end of the world.
3. Only true friends will be there for you.
There's so many people that will call themselves your friends in high school, but half of the time they'll be talking about you behind your back. Your true friends will be there no matter what and won't judge you.
4. You will never see most of your class ever again.
People always say they want to be friends with the people in their graduating class after graduation, but it just doesn't happen. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. It's good because you won't ever have to see those people you didn't like again, but it's bad because you most likely won't see your friends unless you actually make an effort to go to their colleges or wherever they are.
5. You should appreciate free textbooks.
I am about to start my freshman year of college, and I realize that I should have appreciated that 20-pound literature book senior year. Yes, it may be annoying having to carry it around, but at least you didn't have to pay over a hundred dollars for it.
6. A heartbreak isn't the end of the world.
The guy probably wasn't even worth your time. It won't matter how cute he was. It probably wasn't anything serious, and you definitely weren't going to marry him either way.
7. Subtweeting is the worst thing you can do.
If you have a problem with someone, say it to his or her face. Don't put it on Twitter or whatever social media you use because then it'll just start drama. The person that the post was meant for probably won't even notice and someone else will get offended because they thought it was meant for them.
8. Go to that football game.
Or basketball game or baseball game. Whatever sport you prefer. Just go because one day you won't be a high school student anymore, and you don't want to be that person that comes to all the sports events even though they should be at college/work. Don't deny it. Every school has one of those people.
9. Appreciate a home-cooked meal.
When you're at college or just out on your own, you will only have a home-cooked meal if you cook it yourself. And no, Ramen noodles do not count as a home-cooked meal.
10. High school would not last forever.
When I started high school, it seemed like graduation couldn't come fast enough. Before I knew it, though, it was senior year. So many memories were made in those four years, but they went by in the blink of an eye. Don't get caught up planning for your future and miss out on what you have right in front of you.
"It's the oldest story in the world. One day you're seventeen and planning for someday. Then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today, and then someday is yesterday, and this is your life." – Nathan Scott, "One Tree Hill"
