Attention world! I have some news to share. This is hard for me to talk about because it was such an awkward time in my life, yet seven years later I have finally grasped the concept of what occurred. From what I have learned, this happened to a lot of people, but I feel as though my case was pretty extreme. The memories from this time have haunted my dreams throughout the years and it is time to accept the truth: I was weird in middle school.

Shocking, right? A weird middle schooler. In sixth grade, I couldn’t even imagine how long it would take to get to high school, let alone college. If I could tell sixth-grade Cynthia some words of wisdom, here’s what it would be.

1. The weight will shed and your hair will grow.

I sure rocked the middle part with two pigtails on the first day of sixth grade.

2. Don't worry about the cliques.

It wasn't fun dealing with middle school drama (who can and can't I sit with at the lunch tables) but honestly I don't even remember who was cool and who wasn't cool in middle school because LITERALLY NO ONE WAS COOL.

3. It's okay to stay at home.

You don't need to worry about having to socialize every weekend night, especially at the age of twelve. There are some Friday nights now that I wish I could be at home with my parents watching a movie instead of being a college student doing calculus homework.

4. Reading is fun; don't stop.

I used to read all the time and now I spend my free time watching TV, going to the gym, or sleeping. Reading is so relaxing and takes your mind off of real world things.

5. Mom doesn't mind taking you to the midnight premiere of the last Harry Potter movie.

Even if you go dressed as a wizard, Mom just wants you to have fun.

6. Wear sunscreen.

It's simple, but believe me when I say you will always be pale and susceptible to sunburns.

7. Don't take so many pictures at concerts.

Much like the picture above that you took of Danny Gokey, the American Idol Season 8 second runner-up, the hundreds of pictures you took at the American Idol Season 8 Live Tour and Demi Lovato's tour will only take up space on your computer. You will never look at them again, so put your camera down and enjoy concerts with your friends and family.

8. Take good care of your cell phones.

Ahh, young Cynthia's first cell phone: a Motorola Q. That thing was basically indestructible, but be nice to your red Blackberry Curve and don't take it into the bathroom. PS—iPhone 3G screens crack if they hit the concrete.

9. Don't worry, your friends will never go back and see the old pictures your parents posted of you on Facebook.

LIES! Sometimes college students have nothing better to do at 2 AM on a Tuesday than to creep hard on all the pictures you were first tagged in. They will like and comment on them so the gems of you from elementary and middle school will again show up on all of your friends' timelines. The best way to cope? Accept it...and then go like and comment on some of your friends' ancient photos.

10. You will quickly learn when to speak up and when to shut up.

A lot of the time in middle school, I would get myself in trouble because I tried to cover up my awkwardness with humor. I got in a lot of situations in which I wish I would have known to be quiet instead of trying to make the class laugh once more.

11. Writing funny songs might help your future career.

I used to write a lot of goofy songs to make people laugh, like my song about the Swine Flu and trying to get donations for my middle school's jeans drive. Yet, many years later as a marketing and advertising major, I think it would be cool to make a career into coming up with creative advertisements and jingles

12. Be grateful for your braces.

Braces are the worst, but your teeth will look tremendously better after two and a half years.

13. Young love is insignificant.

This one is self-explanatory; middle school relationships are pointless.

14. So are the opinions of petty middle-schoolers.

You didn't get invited to your friend's sleepover that one time and you were almost 100% sure you heard people whispering about you during gym class. Who cares? Those are people you may never know, so there's no need to get upset over gossip and bullying.

15. It all turns out alright.

Middle school was stressful and awkward, but listen up, 6th-grade Cynthia: you go to your dream school. You are a member of the sorority you have always wanted to be in. You prioritize your schoolwork and make a to-do list every day. You get things accomplished. You go to the gym most days and eat Braum's at least once a week. You know when to go out with your friends but realize that nothing good happens after three in the morning. You still find time to call your parents and make sure your dog hasn't forgotten you as you attempt to FaceTime with him. Life is great, little Cynthia. Don't take things too seriously.