High School: The best and worst years of your life. Some high school students can't wait to leave the suffocating walls of the building, the judgmental peers surrounding them, and the teachers who nag you for your late homework or your dress code violation. Other students feel a bitter sweetness when they finally walk out of the building for the last time and head into the real world.

I was one of those students.

I was the excited and ambitious student who set out to make the most of my high school experience. I joined clubs that I didn't think I would ever get involved in, made friends with the people who I never thought I'd meet, and I carried my monthly planner with me everywhere I went to make sure I never missed a school activity.

High school is where I made the most memorable experiences and really found myself. Sure, I went through some rough times, but what emotional adolescent doesn't? I learned a lot in my four years. I learned that things don't always turn out the way you expected or the way you planned. And I've learned that sometimes things go wrong that aren't meant to be fixed back to the way things were before. I've also learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones as long as you stick by people who love you. With those people around you, I promise that you can get through anything.

Here are some lessons that I learned in my four years in high school.

1. Graduation Comes Quicker Than You Think

As a sophomore or freshman, you think that graduation can't come quickly enough. You may even believe that applying for colleges and looking for scholarships is silly to even think about.

But, I'm here to tell you that GRADUATION. COMES. QUICKER. THAN. YOU. THINK.

I cannot stress this enough. Take in each and every moment of high school. Make the most of your time before you have to leave. Remember the little things that would make you smile as you reflect back on your time. Take the time to look around you and capture photos you can store in your brain somewhere. Time really does fly by, and it doesn’t slow down for you to take notes. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting at your graduation in your cap and gown. Don’t be afraid to fail. Stand up in front of the class and give that speech. Try out for the lead role in the play. Join a club. Don't wait for the boy to ask you to prom; pluck up the courage and ask him yourself! You may fall on your face, or you may not, but at least you went for it. You may find your niche and meet the best people you'll ever meet in high school.

2. High School Is Just One Big Learning Experience

You will make mistakes in high school. Learn from them and take that learning experience with you throughout the rest of your life. Remember that life does go on. Don't let one mistake define you. Learn from it.

3. Don't Invest All Your Time In That Boy

Ladies, that one boy you're trying so hard to impress will mean nothing to you in a year or so. Don't let your desire for a romantic relationship stop you from living your life and being who you really are. And, if he cheats on you or ever lays a hand on you, say goodbye. Get out of a toxic relationship before it turns bad. It's not worth it. Your dad can see a crappy boy before you can. You deserve happiness, so stop worrying about him. I know that boy gives you butterflies, but that won’t carry you through the ups and downs of life. When a boy tells you he loves you, you're probably going to believe him. Just because your first kiss with that boy makes you see fireworks DOES NOT mean that he is the perfect boy for you. And as my good friend T-Swift says, "In your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team."

Remember: you were beautiful before he told you. You will fall in love more than once in your life. As Perks Of Being A Wallflower states, "We accept the love we think we deserve." But you deserve so much more than you think. Don't settle just because your afraid that something better won't eventually show up.

4. Thank Your Teachers

I can look back at all my high school teachers and think of a few who have really impacted my life and education (THANK YOU!). Nothing makes me happier than seeing teachers work with students to make sure their education is successful in a fun learning environment. In fact, thank anyone who has influenced your life, whether it be a coach, teacher, your parents, your best friend, or your grandparents....THANK THEM.

5. Being Popular Isn't and Never Will Be Something That Seriously Defines You

A few months after you graduate, you'll realize that being prom queen, or being the cheerleading captain, or getting over 100 likes on Instagram doesn't matter. What matters is what friends you keep close and the impact you leave on the school. Tell your friends how much you love them. Compliment other girls in the bathroom. Help confused freshmen. Remember how much you would have appreciated it when you were a scared freshman. Talk to the kid sitting alone; even though it may not change your life dramatically, it could drastically change his/hers. Don't believe stereotypes. Get to know someone personally instead of judging them.

Don't compare yourself with others. You are unique! Embrace your weirdness and quirks! Don't pretend to be someone that you aren't in order to seem cool. Doing drugs and drinking does not make you cooler than anyone else. Don't be reckless; it gets you nowhere in life. Being the prettiest or most popular girl in school matters for about half a second after graduation. In contrast, being the kindest person in school gets remembered well past your ten-year reunion. You don’t need a bunch of friends. You need one or two who’ve really got your back. Worry less about having a lot of friends and worry more about being a friend to everyone.

6. "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger"

I can think back to so many times in high school when whatever “crisis” I thought I was having seemed like the absolute worst thing that could ever happen to me. Everything seemed like a much bigger deal than it actually was. Turns out, I was just a typical teenager and completely overreacting. My mom always tells me that things happen for a reason, and I’ve finally started to believe her. Moms can see fake friends before you can. I’ve learned that all I have to do is to have a little faith and everything will eventually work out. Rely on your faith and it’ll be much easier to see the bigger picture. God will always have a better plan for you.

All the breakups, failed tests, and bad days….they’ll mean nothing to you in 7 years. They’ll probably mean nothing to you in 7 months so for the time being: say a prayer, have a good cry, tear open a bag of candy, watch a good movie, and wait for things to work themselves out. DON'T. I repeat: DON'T subtweet or Facebook any and all drama in your life. You'll only regret it later. Instead, kill them with kindness. It's only a bad day, not a bad life. Learn to apologize and forgive. Time will heal most anything.

7. Appreciate The Little Things

Call your grandma just because. Hug your grandpa when you see him. Eat home-cooked meals with your family; you'll miss it one day. Enjoy your metabolism while it lasts. If your parents buy you something, whether it's McDonald's or a car, say thank you. Appreciate your summer break. Appreciate free textbooks (seriously). Take classes seriously; going to school is a privilege. Write thank you notes for everything. Take lots of pictures. Take in the beauty of nature. Tell your siblings how much they mean to you. Read a book. Keep a journal. Smile every chance you get.

8. Stay Organized

Remember that monthly planner I mentioned earlier? I have kept a planner every year since the 4th grade! Without one, I feel lost and unorganized as if my life is falling apart. I write down e v e r y t h i n g in my planner, whether it's someone's birthday, homework, to-do's, important dates, or even some words of encouragement to get me through the week. Planners are the best way to make sure you stay on top of everything in school, and of course, in life. There are many other ways to stay organized: clean your room, clean out your closet and donate any clothes that are too small or you don't want anymore, clean out your car, clean the house for your mom, or do your laundry. I know those sound like chores, but having an organized life requires a little bit of work on your part.

9. Save Your Money

Start saving your money now. Adulthood, bills, and college costs hit you smack dab in the face right after graduation. I know that top at Anthropologie is super cute, but it’s also crazy overpriced. Imagine dropping that $75 in a savings account and using it for something lasting like a car, an education, or even a house. Most people think they will start saving “someday,” but actually don't. I wish I had developed the discipline of saving money as a high school student.

This doesn't mean you have to save every dollar that comes into your hands when you're in high school, but be money smart. As my grandpa says, "The only thing that you should take a loan out for is college and a house. Pay everything else upfront." And the magical card that is a credit card is actually not that magical. So many people go into credit card debt because they can't control themselves. If you know you don't have the money to buy something....DON'T BUY IT.

10. When you get your license, it’s a license to drive, not a license to do stupid things.

Ask yourself: Is sending this text while driving really worth it? Is it worth putting my life and everyone else's life at risk? Is drinking and driving really worth the risk of getting a DUI or worse? That one text message or drunken car ride home could potentially change a family's life forever. Now, is it really worth it? Make smart choices when you get behind the wheel of a car. Make sure you are doing everything possible to stay safe; that includes buckling up, putting the phone down, maintaining a safe speed, and using the turn signal.

11. Don't Undermine Yourself

You are worth so much more than you know. You are special and unique; EMBRACE THAT! Don't let anyone belittle you or make you believe that you are worthless. You don't need those toxic people in your life. Don't ever put "just" in front of something you are doing. For example, don't say, "I just ran 1 mile" or "I'm just studying English." Using the word "just" makes what you're doing seem less meaningful and less of an accomplishment. Be proud of everything you do, and don't let anyone rain on your parade or stomp on your happiness. Be proud of yourself that you ran a mile or are studying English! It is an accomplishment!

Senior year is unlike any other. It won't hit you when you wake up for you last first day of school. It won't hit you as you walk into the school for the first time as an official senior. It won't hit you as you cheer at your last football game you attend. It won't hit you as you get ready for your last homecoming and prom. It won't hit you as you fill out countless college applications and write countless scholarship essays. It won't hit you as you realize that senioritis is a very real thing. When May finally rolls around, and you put on your cap and gown for the first time, you look around and realize that you will never see half of these people again. It won't even fully hit you as you see everyone meeting their roommates, getting class schedules, and going to orientation. It will finally hit you when you're sitting in your room, packing up 18 years of your life, laughing with your best friend since your childhood about all the stupid stuff you've done. It will sink in when you leave for college; as it will be the last time you see your room, your parents, and your pets for 3 months. You'll feel it when you're sitting in your dorm room with a stranger that you will have to live with for the next year.

To all the high school students reading this, I hope you know that even though life can stink sometimes, you will have countless times that make you forget the rough times. You will have memorable moments that you wish would never end that will compensate for every rough patch you are going through. Be adventurous in life; try new things, and smile your way through the bad times like the fierce person you are. Embrace your youth and innocence and stop trying to grow up. Growing up is such a confusing and troubling time full of drama and pimples. So dance around in your room to Taylor Swift's song Fifteen, don't worry when and who will be your first kiss, don't stress about finding the perfect prom dress, and for the time being, don't worry about what comes after graduation. You only get to be a kid once, so enjoy the end of the beginning while you can.

My biggest piece of advice: make every moment in high school count.