So you're turning 13? Welcome to the stage of life where braces, crushes, and finding yourself come into play. Teen years are the stage in life when you are stuck in an awkward place somewhere between childhood and adulthood. Here are some tips I wish I had been given during my teenage years.

1. Life is short.

Appreciate your parents and all of your family members because tomorrow is never promised. Tell your family how much they mean to you and always hug them and tell them you love them before going out with friends.

2. Take lots of pictures.

Someday you won’t have all the same people in your life and you won’t be able to have as much adventures with your friends when you get a job in the future, so make sure you have something to look back on that will remind you of the good old days. Plus, filling up albums or scrapbooks is a great bonding activity to do with your best friend or your mom.

3. Never give up on your dreams.

I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was 13 years old. I told my friends but they always said I wouldn’t get far, but here I am writing for the Odyssey and I couldn’t be happier.

4. Call your parents.

I can’t say I never lied to my own parents, because then I would be a hypocrite, however, you need to know when a situation has gone out of your hands and when calling your parents is the better choice. If you’re at a party that your parents don’t know about and your friend is drunk or buzzed and they were supposed to be the one to drive you home, you need to call your parents or another trusted adult/driver. A two week grounding without your cellphone privileges is much better than the alternative possibilities that could come from a possible drunk driving accident.

5. Put down the phone.

Get your photos and keep in contact with your parent’s so that they know you’re okay, but enjoy the atmosphere around you. Bring your textbook outside and have an outdoor study session. Offer to take your dog for a walk that day. Nature is healthy for the mind and for the body and remember that it’s rude to ignore the people around you just to talk to someone else through a screen.

6. Don’t take hurtful words seriously.

People insult other’s because they are insecure about their own flaws. It’s their own problem, not yours, so don’t let it become yours. Take a deep breath, be the bigger person, and walk away from negative people.

7. Don’t stress about dating.

Teenage relationships hardly ever last and if you’re so focused on dating, you might forget the most important part about growing up- finding your future bridesmaids or your best man. Finding the friends that will have your back through anything should come first on your priority list before dating. Also, heartbreak is part of everyone’s life and it may seem like the end of the world at first, but you will move on eventually, trust me.

8. Be wary of the internet.

Once a status or picture is out there, anyone can screenshot it and keep it circulating even after you delete it from your page.

9. Don’t be a bystander.

There is so much negativity in this world. Don’t be part of letting that negativity spread. Stand up for other’s and spread positivity instead. You want to uphold a positive reputation when people look back on you in the future.

10. Try hard in school.

Better grades equal better chances at scholarships, and college is way more expensive than you might even be able to imagine. Also, start saving up as soon as you can. Start with chores and get a job whenever you’re old enough. It’s never too late to start saving up for a car or for your college funds.

11. Never change your dreams, passions or morals just to please another person.

If you love that outfit but your best friend thinks it’s ugly, who cares? She will still love you if she’s worthy of being called your “best friend”. Want that summer camp counselor job but don’t want to leave your significant other for the summer? They will still be there when you come back if they’re meant to be in your life. That guy wants you to take a sip of the drink he poured for you but your gut instinct says no even though you don’t want to disappoint him? Say no. It’s okay to say no, you shouldn’t have to please anyone. Your own safety, growth, life lessons, and happiness are much more valuable than pleasing someone else ever will be. If someone is worth being in your life, then they will stay in your life no matter what.

12. Love yourself.

In school, they teach you not to bully others, but they never teach self-love, despite the fact that it is the most important life lesson out there. People will come and go, but you are the only person guaranteed to be in your life forever. All of your flaws and quirks make you unique and beautiful, so embrace all of them and always love yourself.

13. When life gets to be difficult, don’t give up.

There is so much to life that you’ve yet to see or do. Make a bucket list of all the places you want to travel to when you grow up or of all the activities you want to try with your friends. That way you will always have something positive to look forward to and you will always know that the future is full of bright colors and so worth living for.