Growing up is difficult for every girl, regardless of how much money your parents have or how much acne you have on your face. You want to be “cool,” but you also don't want to be immature. You think some guys are super dreamy, but you also think they’re kinda stupid and gross. It’s an awkward phase in your life; trust me I’ve been there. For example, when I was in eighth grade, I got asked a question for the yearbook about what kind of animal I would be. My quote, “I would be a sloth because they’re weird!!!” is in the yearbook; forever printed in ink, beside a frightening picture of me with frizzy hair and blue braces. But do not fret! This too shall pass, and I’m here to offer a few helpful tips for you.

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1. Moisturize daily! I know you’re young, so you think that wrinkles aren’t an issue for you right now – and you’re right, they’re not an issue for you – but lotion makes your skin so much softer and by starting this early, it's a habit you'll keep up for a lifetime.

2. Try to drink more water. Water is another key component of having healthy, youthful skin because it keeps your body hydrated.

3. Keep your toenails filed and clean. A square shape will help anyone’s toes look more defined and less stubby.

4. Keep your eyebrows plucked. Getting rid of those stray little hairs will greatly add to the more polished look you’re going for.

5. Do not – I repeat, do not – think that the thicker the eyeliner, the prettier you will be. This is a misconception among many young girls (I used to be one of them). Actually, the thicker the eyeliner, the more your natural beauty gets overpowered, and the massive amount of eyeliner just looks like it’s painful for your eyes.

6. Dress like a respectable young lady. I know you’re coming of age, your body is blossoming, and you like the attention you’re getting from guys, but for the sake of your young reputation, you need to keep the outfits decent. If your butt cheeks are about to peek out of your Hollister shorts, that is not okay.

7. Do not straighten/ curl/ fry your hair in some way almost every day. You are so young and your hair is in such prime condition! Please appreciate the health of your hair as it is right now and stop killing it by constantly putting it under heat. Find a way to style your hair in its natural state; you can thank me later.

8. Make sure you’re building strong friendships with good girls. Don’t focus so much of your attention on having a boyfriend and miss out on quality girl time in the process. The bond you make with girl friends while you're young will stick with you for the long run; and trust me, there will more than one occasion where you will need their love and support.

9. Romantic relationships are cute and fun when you’re young, but never think that your lack of a boyfriend means you’re hopelessly forever alone. Two words: College Boys.

10. Be nice to your parents. They most likely paid for everything you’re wearing right now and the device you’re using to read this very article. They care about you more than you’ll ever know, and being mean to them isn’t the way to show them how much you’re thankful for all they do.

11. Pay attention in class!!! Every year of school is another building block to add on top of what you learned last year, so keep up or you’ll get left behind. Plus, your smarts will always, always get you far in life, regardless of where you end up.

12. When it comes to boys, always remember that they mature slower than you do. It’s science, look it up. Also, your body will make guys look at you, but your intelligence will make guys listen to you. Don't be eye candy, be soul food.

13. Don’t listen to the snooty girls who pick on you and laugh at you. They don’t define who you are, and they aren’t some kind of high-and-mighty power who even has the right to judge you or any other person. Those girls are mean; they just want something to do to make them look more important.

14. Read, read, read! Whether it’s books, magazines, the newspaper, Odyssey articles – whatever it is you enjoy, make time to read. The advice you don’t get from this article, I promise there’s other literature out there that will give you something 100x as good as I ever could.

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In closing, you keep doing you, girl. I think you’re capable of doing even greater things than what you’ve already done so far.