1. Strive for excellence.

In all things. Besides just maintaining good grades, do your best in staying healthy, both physically and mentally.

2. Work hard. 

Your classes, whether in high school or college, are setting you up for the future. Make schoolwork a priority.

3. Prioritize your health. 

Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. You cannot be at your best physically or intellectually if you are at your worst mentally and emotionally.

4. Meet new people.

People that are both like and unlike you. You will never believe the friendship that can come from seemingly the most unlikely of people.

5. Get to know your teachers/professors.

These people are the ones that will guide you each semester. They're the ones that are going to teach you the information that you need in order to keep advancing in your education. Introduce yourself so that they will always remember your face, and work hard, so that they can write a great letter of recommendation when needed.

6. Don't procrastinate. 

Probably the best piece of advice that I can give you. I know it's easy to see that your paper isn't due for another three weeks, but in three weeks, more than likely you are going to have two other papers, three group projects, and seventeen sheets of busy work due that same day, so it's always the best idea to get ahead of your to-do list.

7. Stay connected with your family. 

While it's easy to treat independence as a way to seldom speak to your parents, don't do it. Keep in contact with the people that care about you the most.

8. Take pictures. 

If you're in high school, your parents will want pictures to remember these years. If you're in college, send your parents pictures of what is going on in your life. You can never make too many memories.

9. Ask questions. 

This is IMPORTANT. Everyone knows that cliche, "Better to be safe than sorry." Well this ALWAYS applies. Whether you don't understand or you just need clarification, just ask!

10. Take time for yourself. 

School is stressful no matter the level. Between classes and projects and practices and social life, make sure that you are setting aside time that you can spend by yourself. Self-care is essential for both feeling and being your best.

11. Be grateful for your opportunities. 

Please do not look at school or classes as the worst thing ever. Not everyone gets the same opportunities you do. Take advantage of having caring teachers and friendly classmates. Enjoy the learning years while you still have them.

12. Make it the best year yet.