Before School Starts

These are my last five tips for surviving high school.  I hope my tips have helped you out and eased some of your fears.  I also hope that you take my advice to heart and apply it to your own life.  I know what I'm talking about.  I'm a senior in high school.  These last five tips that I have saved for today are five of the most important things that I think you should know.

1. If you don't like high school at first, give yourself a few weeks.  High school is different, new, and a little scary at first.  You might not like it right away.  Don't close your mind after the first day.  Approach high school with an open mind, even after the first day is over.  You're going to develop and mature as your freshman year progresses and you make the transition from middle school brain to high school brain.  You might not believe me, but you're going to change a lot your freshman year.  Don't believe me?  To the left is a picture of me in the July before my freshman year.  To the right is a picture of me in May of my freshman year.  Do you see a difference?  In less than a year, I look older, a little more mature and sure of myself.  You'll change too.  Give high school a chance.

2. Try not to worry about what others think.  Do not strive to please others.  Strive to please yourself and God.  Wear clothes that you like, not what others want you to wear.  Do not be so concerned about being "cool".  What anybody else thinks shouldn't worry you.  Be happy and don't be concerned about what others are thinking when they look at you.

3. Be yourself.  Don't let peer pressure transform you into somebody you aren't.  Do not become a person that you don't want to be.  Always be you, even if that does mean standing alone.  High school is tough sometimes.  Don't fall into temptation and become someone else.  Stay you.

4. Find a good group of friends.  Friends are some of the most important people in your life when you're in high school.  You will most likely dress, talk, and act like your friends, not because you're copying them, but because you naturally grow to be like the people you're around the most.  Having a godly, encouraging, supportive, happy group of friends is essential to making the right choices and having a good time while you're in high school.

5. Listen to the advice that others give you.  You might hate me for saying this, but does your mom have advice for you as you enter high school?  Take it.  Did your older sister or brother give you a tip or two?  Listen to them.  Did a high schooler at church or at a store offer up a piece of knowledge and experience?  Listen to what these people are saying.  All of them are older than you.  They've already been to high school.  They have experience that you don't.  They know what they're talking about.  Take advice.  Keep your mind open.  Listen to what people have to say, even if it's your own mom.

More than anything, have fun.  High school has been the best three years of my life so far.  I can't wait to begin this final year.  High school can be amazing for you too.  Relax.  Don't worry about it.  You'll make it through okay. :)

Love,
Emily
(A Helpful Senior)