One month left.

One more month walking the halls that have become a second home.

One month of seeing the same teachers you've had for four years.

It seems unreal that four years ago, all we talked about was “the next four years”. And now, looking back, we often talk about “these four years.” If high school is talked about in numbers, usually it’s multiples of two: four years, two semesters, two weeks of vacation. It’s comforting, because we know there’s never just one left of anything. But then it comes down to four weeks, one month, one prom, and one graduation.

Looking back, I honestly don't know how much I would change. However, I would tell my freshman year self a few words of wisdom.

Your true friends will make themselves known. They'll be the ones that you can go to Taco Bell with at midnight, belt in the car with, and cry in front of all in the same day and it's totally normal. College will lead to new friends, but there's something magical about friends you share the bond of a hometown with.

Appreciate your parents. When I started high school, I assumed I was entering this realm of newfound independence, and I didn't need my parents' permission or opinion for anything I did. I was wrong. My parents, although we may have had our ups and downs trying to navigate our relationship during my teenage years, are my fan club. They came to sports games in the rain, calmed me down when I was upset about one dumb thing or another,and eventually helped shape me into the independent person I am now. Appreciate the next four years you have with them, because pretty soon you'll be looking back and wishing you cherished having them so near more.

This is the last time you will live somewhere for free. Like ever. Take it all in. Take in the cable TV, the just-right water pressure in the shower, the free laundry. Take nothing for granted.

Let go of the past. Holding grudges in high school makes everything harder for yourself and those around you. The sooner you learn to forgive and forget, the better the next four years will be. You have to create a healthy environment for yourself in order to get the most out of high school.

On a completely different note, remember who you are. Defend your beliefs and your morals, no matter what the opposition. It's a life skill best practiced on petty high school issues and then transferred to to the real world.

It's been one wild ride, high school-- it may only be a chapter of my life in the long run, but right now its all I know. Having one month left of something as big as this is intimidating, but I know all I've learned will allow me to leave with the knowledge I need to move on to the next chapter.