This Thursday, I will turn 17. That means I will be stuck between the years of the sweet 16 and the impending adulthood that is 18. I will be tried as an adult in the Georgia state court if I commit a crime, but I'm unable to vote in the upcoming election. I will be legally able to drive most vehicles and pilot a helicopter or plane, but still too young to rent a car. I can become a blood donor and make the decision to leave my body for medical examination if I die, but I cannot create a valid will until I am 18. Honestly, the transition from sweet 16 to inconsistent 17 is rough, to say the least.

But, while I am still learning about the legalities that come with my new age, I'm also realizing how much I've already learned about life thus far, and as my birthday draws nearer, and the 16th chapter of my book of life comes to a close, I find myself constantly reflecting on the things I have learned thus far; things I wish I had known; things I wish someone had told to me, explained to me until I really understood. While I wish I could go back and time and tell these things to my younger self, I know that it's impossible; however, I am able to publish a brief letter here for those of you who've yet to learn these things. Hopefully, I can save you from some of the heartache that I endured.

So here, Dear Younger Me:

1. The Mitochondria is the Powerhouse of the Cell

Now, you might think this is a joke, but its not. This is of the upmost importance in our modern-day school system. You will not be taught about personal finance or mental health or interpersonal relationships, or how to do your taxes or how to be a functioning member of modern day society, at least, not in too much detail, but you will be taught in depth about the functions of organelles in both plant and animal cells. In fact, you will learn about it every year in middle school, and then you won’t hear about it anymore in high school, in fact you will hardly hear about cells once you graduate the 8th grade. But that’s how the school system works, honey, and it’s not subject to change anytime soon. Sure, they may increase the rate at which each grade learns until 2nd graders are learning about mitochondria rather than 6th graders; however, that doesn't really matter. All that matters is that you learn how to memorize quickly, so that you can regurgitate it on a standardized test, then wipe your memory clean and start the process over, because your school will never see you as more than your testing ID number. So just keep your mouth shut and learn to compartmentalize your thoughts, shove your feelings and ideas to the back of your mind, and make room for more mindless facts about the same five presidents that we've learned about since Kindergarten.

2. You cannot compare yourself to others:

You would think that this is a no-brainer, since everyone is taught that they’re a ‘special snowflake’ at the start of grade school; yet, when thrown into the chaos that is your freshman year of high school, you might forget this, or find it hard to believe, or maybe even wish that you weren’t so special of a snowflake… Maybe you’ll start to stare at the pretty girls in your classes, and wish you were like them: the tall girl with the auburn hair and unique style, the blonde with the perfect figure and body measurements, the busty girl with the rough voice and contagious laugh… You begin to analyze and memorize every aspect of their existence: their hairstyles, their voices, their smiles, how they roll up the cuffs of their jeans- you make note of even the smallest details and mimic them, yearning to one day transform into something even remotely similar to them.

There is no positive outcome to this behavior. You can't become them, you can't even become like them, it’s physically impossible to morph into someone you aren't. You were created to be different, everyone was. Stop complaining, and embrace it. You weren't designed to be a size 32 C, your freckles aren't going to go away, your limbs are long and awkward, sure, but that's because you feel uncomfortable in your own skin- once you learn to love your long legs, your pudgy stomach, your dark body hair, your flat chest, your spotted cheeks, your deep voice, once you learn to love every aspect of yourself and recognize your so-called flaws as the details that make you so unique and beautiful, you will find that you are truly magnificent. When people compliment you, they're not just being polite, you are wonderful just as you are.

3. Actions Really Do speak louder than words:

A lot of different people will come into your life and say a lot of different things, make a lot of different promises, DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE SAY TO YOU. No, not everyone is purposely trying to manipulate or hurt you; in fact, most of the time, people have benevolent intentions behind the things they say. That being said, if you take everyone at their word, you will get very hurt, very fast. Because even if they don't mean to, people's words will hurt you; people are going to break their promises, people are going to say hurtful and/or invalidating things, people are going to lie to you, that's just how to world is. Everyone is human, humans make mistakes. They won't mean to hurt you but they will, and that's okay, it's a part of life. But the sooner you learn to take everyone's words with a grain of salt, the more protected you will be. This leads me to my next note:

4. "I Love You" rarely means I love you:

The words "I love you" have become a cliche. Teenage girls use the phrase casually and at random; in fact, many adults do as well. Not everyone who says those three words will truly understand the significance of them, they won't truly mean it. Other times, people will say those dangerous words in order to manipulate you or your decisions. Don't fall for it . If someone actually loves you, they will show it. There are Five Love Languages, ways in which people naturally like to show regards for others, and if someone truly means 'I love you', they're going to show it one way or another. It may seem dramatic, but trust me, kid, it's idiotic to assume that everyone truly feels the gravity of the emotions linked to the cliche that they've used.

Oh, and that silly boy you've been dating for a month in your freshman year, he doesn't actually love you. No, he's going to cheat on you less than two hours after he says those toxic words to you, so just ignore him.

5. Your friends are going to date people, don't be clingy.

The sooner you learn this, the easier your social life will be, and the less stressed you will be: Your friendswill end up in a romantic relationshi[p at some point in you high school career. Whoever they're dating will be in their life more often, and that includes during 'squad hangs'. Not only that, but when your friend starts dating someone new, there is going to be a period of time in which that friend will spend most- if not all- of their free time with their new boo. This is called the 'honeymoon phase'. Let them have the honeymoon phase. It's going to happen whether you like it or not, so just let it happen. During this period of time, continue to make plans with them, but don't be too hurt if they blow you off or already have date plans. Also work to include their significant other in group plans, but don't freak out if the two of them spend the whole night snogging. After a month and a half or so, the phase tends to calm down, and if it doesn't, then gently address the situation, but remember to keep an open, understanding, mind because this phase is 100% natural; if you come off as possessive, you will only do more harm than good.

6. Learn to Listen:

This is so simple that its easily forgotten when you are developing social skills. When you are talking to your peers, parents, elders, siblings, etc, it is imperative that you learn to listen more than you talk. Be genuine with people, invest in them; ask them questions about their day, their hobbies, their job, their family; don't make a habit of consistently dictating the conversation. And if someone comes to you about a problem, most of the time they just need someone to listen, not preach at them, only give your advice or opinion if they ask for it or if they give you the OK to do so. Otherwise, just zip it.

7. Question authority without disrespecting it:

As you mature, you will (hopefully) aspire to educate yourself on modern day news and worldly topics, conflicts, and concerns. As you continue to grow and learn, you will find yourself questioning the statutes that our current society is built on. That is a good thing, that is how we as humans evolve. With each generation, outdated mindsets are challenged and revised, and the human race progresses at a steady rate.

To lead the future, you must establish respect among the current leaders of this society: your teachers, your administrators, your managers, your bosses, your superiors, your elders. If you build a reputation of disrespecting those with power, you lose the respect of these leaders. There are many things in this society that must change, and you have the power to initiate that change, but only if you remain in good standing with those in charge.

The past 16 years and 363 days of my life are gone, and there is nothing I can do to reverse any aspect of my past: all of my mistakes, failures, and heartbreaks are irreversible, but I wouldn't go back and change any of it, even if I could. Because these blunders, these growing pains, have made me into the strong-willed, independent, and confident person that I am today, and I'm grateful for the life I've had so far. Life is an ocean, and with each passing day, I dive deeper beneath the waves and discover even more about the world. I am 16-almost-17-years deep into this vast sea, and I have learned so much, but I've hardly begun my journey to the depths and I am anxious to see what this coming year brings. Who knows, maybe I'll write to you in another year.

Wishing you all the best in your journey,

A 16-nearly-17-year-old Me