With my recent graduation from high school and preparing to leave for college I felt the need to share some of my knowledge before I left these past four years behind. I had an amazing high school experience despite being new my Freshman year. Even if you feel 100% prepared for high school these are 10 things about high school you need to know.
1. High school is absolutely nothing like the movies.
I watched High School Musical growing up and loved it just as much as the next girl but I’m sorry it is just not realistic. Neither is Mean Girls, or Bring It On, or Grease. Freshman do not get shoved into lockers, Seniors don’t shake you down for your lunch money, and not one group of students run the school.
2. You CAN be friends with people that aren’t friends.
I have first hand experience that this can work. It’s not easy, but it can be done. If you have two friends that do not like each other and you truly are in the middle of the situation you can stay neutral. It takes setting some ground rules (like not bad mouthing the other friend to you) and a lot of patience.
3. You don’t have to be apart of one clique.
You can be a soccer player who does the fall theater while taking all Honors classes. If you’re eager to try and especially if you’re good at what you do people will accept you for your little multi-talented self.
4. Later on you’ll only regret the things you didn’t do.
After graduation you’re not going to think back to that football game that you went to and didn’t really enjoy. You’re going to think back to all the games you skipped and the memories you missed out on.
5. Keep an open mind about everything.
Don’t rule something out because it’s stereotyped as uncool. Giving new things a try won’t kill you. That current events class could be really interesting and you could really excel at writing for your newspaper. Don’t be close-minded.
6. You will most likely have more than one high school sweetheart.
I know this one seems obvious but when you’re in love its not, especially when you’re going through a break up. After break ups it feels like it’s the end of the world. It’s just one person out of your whole life. You will meet a ton of people and go on a ton of adventures in your high school career, don’t get bogged down by one person.
7. Going off of #6, if you don’t have any high school sweethearts, that is really okay.
People can go through high school without falling in love and that is perfectly fine. The worst thing is to rush or force it. If it happens it does, if it doesn’t you have all of college and the rest of your life after that. Focus on your friends and your schooling and what’s meant to be will be. Do NOT become one of those girls that keys “Forever Alone” as their slogan and swears that they will become a cat lady in old age.
8. You can’t force people to be friends with you.
No matter how hard you try. Buying, bribing, and groveling will get you no where. Those friendships aren’t real. People you are meant to be friends with will stick by your side. Friendships may fall apart and trying to force something that isn’t there just makes things more painful.
9. What you post on your social media can get back to your school.
I’ve seen it first hand, Instagramed keg stands and not so private private pictures can get back to your school and they will have to take action against it. Don’t put yourself in the awkward position where your principal has to confront you about your naked pic being passed around the locker room. Yikes.
10. I know this sounds cliche but… Don’t be afraid to be yourself.
If you change to make other people happy you will not be happy. High school can be an amazing 4 years if you make it that. Don’t keep yourself from doing something you love just to fit in or please others. Go try out for the musical, go out for the basketball team, do anything you want. They’re your four years.
Stay Connected