I know how you’re feeling,  once in your shoes, drowning in homework,  and preparing for finals, wondering if it would ever end. I daydream about becoming a senior, walking across stage finally being able to turn the tassel toward my future — freedom. I’m not there yet but hard work pays off. Now, as I work for the day I can hang up my graduation gown in preparation for that day, in three years time.

Past me has grown old and tired of being just ordinary, it’s time for a change to grow into new habits and be better for me. The previous actions and words that represent truth – although you may not see it now, I didn’t see it during  beginning of freshman year, I saw something that I wish I could never see again but it’s what you have to live by. Four years may sound like an eternity, but in retrospect, it feels like it was over before it ever truly began. You just started your journey and everyday you continue to pave a new path towards you next adventure in time. Whether you believe it or not, time is ticking away, and you’ll thank yourself in the future if you just make the most of it.

Listen and appreciate your guardian!

I know what you’re thinking. “But”– you just don’t understand.” I used to be you. In all honesty, everyone can struggle with this. However, over the years You can learn the hard way, in multiple ways I have learned, in a time your parents were once your age, lots of their advice is based on life experiences,  there not just saying it to say it, there saying it to only help. Listen to what they have to say.

More importantly, appreciate what they have to say. Your parents/guardians care about you more than you can comprehend and it took me until the end of freshman year to understand and no matter how many bad decisions you make in life they will still care about you. Truly they only want what’s best for you. Even if it feels like your life is going to end right in that moment. Appreciate the little moments in life with your elders. As you’re getting ready to part ways with your parents, you will realize just how much you will miss the home-cooked meals, advice, and comfort

Don’t let fear stop you from stepping outside of your comfort zone!

High school is a time to develop personal growth and learning. Whether it’s trying out for that team you’re not entirely sure you’ll make, making bad choices and learning from your actions or having a bad breakup and wishing that you were better than that. Allowing your voice to be heard on issues you’re passionate about so people can know you for who you really are and taking classes that are fun.

Don’t let the fear of rejection or embarrassment prohibit you from trying something new. Even if you don’t succeed, anything that you make an effort to or try isn’t a failure. It can only serve as an experience or a lesson. In the end, you will never truly regret something that you tried, only the experiences that you let fear stop you from trying. Don’t let it overcome you as I did. 

The work you put into school now, reflects future opportunities!

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can always work harder as a junior or senior because chances are, it’ll be too late. College admissions take a good look at your start approach, looking at each year – from the moment you walk through those doors on the first day of your freshman year, to the moment you walk across the stage and receive your diploma.

Creating good study habits, learning time management, and avoiding procrastination now will continue to benefit you throughout the rest of your schooling and future. School won’t always be easy. In fact, it only gets harder from here — keep on going. Don’t give up. You won’t remember all the nights that you lost sleep or you crammed, but you’ll definitely remember all the accomplishments you achieved. The harder you work the happier you will be, having the ability to be proud of yourself after every accomplishment is a good feeling. You will thank yourself in the near future for all the hours of work you put in. 

Your GPA doesn’t reflect who you are as a person. Balance is key!

While schoolwork is a priority, don’t let it define who you are as a person, you are you. Truly you can grow as a person by venturing outside of your studies; spend time with friends, experience life, and take time to yourself as well. Do things you enjoy, spend time with the people you love, go out on a weeknight to dinner with friends, enjoy the coffee dates and late milkshake runs.

Your mental well-being and happiness is more important than your GPA. While your GPA lasts forever, the memories you make now will last an eternity. The smiles, memories and love will forever be in your heart, this is a moment for you.

Sit in the student section at the football games, go to Prom, dress up for Spirit Week, experience high school!

You won’t regret it, even though you may not want to get all dressed up it’s a very fun moment to remember. I remember during a spirit week day, all kids brought strollers, shopping carts, and other amazing objects it was “Bring Anything but a Backpack Day” that was one of the most memorable things I could remember because it was so much fun.

These are events to enjoy, and to cherish. Take in each event and every moment. Make it a point to attend games, concerts, and plays. Your classmates and friends work hard doing these activities, and participating in school. Your support means more to them than you realize.

In the end, you have nothing else to lose and everything to gain you would rather be the best friend on the planet to somebody that needs it then the worst friend to somebody in . Someday you will want to tell your kids about your Prom night or just your first Prom in general and how it’s a night you’ll never forget – not that you regret not going.

Make a difference!

Your time in high school will work to shape you as a person in the future, make everything count. Volunteer work serves to be rewarding and shows that you genuinely care about the planet, a lot can be learned from it. Take the time to give back to others – even if it’s in a small way. Make your time matter.

Don’t stress about the things you can’t change!

You will make mistakes its part of life. Some things will be out of your control. I’m here to tell you that it’s okay. Missing a deadline isn’t the end of the world. Losing friends is sometimes inevitable.

A friendship/relationship ends that’s also okay, give it time. While some things may not always go your way, don’t feel the need to dwell on the past. Continue to move forward and grow, when you feel like everything has gone wrong, things can only get better from there. 

It’s okay to not know what you want to do for the rest of your life!

You’re young. Graduation is not a deadline to have your future mapped out – in all reality, nobody has it all figured out. While some may find their passion in high school, the majority of people don’t.

Your major in college may not be set and stone, and it’s okay to change your mind. We’re all still learning about the world and our interests and it does take time, everyone moves at their own pace. Explore your options and pursue your passions. The world is in front of you.