Right now you’re probably thinking, “I cannot wait until the day that I graduate.”

That’s totally understandable. Just a few years ago I was thinking the same exact thing. Couldn’t wait to get away. To go to college. To go to parties, get my own apartment. Meet new people.

You may hear that high school will be the best four years of your life, don’t worry that’s a complete lie.

Although high school may not be the best years of your life, live it up while you can.

Stop dreading classes. Enjoy them. Once you get to college, some classes have over 300 students attending each day. Appreciate having a personal connection with your teacher. Appreciate how much each teacher truly cares about you, and the amount of effort they put into each day teaching you. Enjoy the little amount of effort that you need to put forward. It may feel like a lot right now, but college is worse. High school you can either not study or study the night before and get 90%... in college you can study for a week and end up with a 70% or worse.

Appreciate the teacher that is difficult. These are the teachers that are preparing you for college. Annoyed with that one teacher who gives you what seems like never ending homework, or tests that you have to study for? Once you hit college, you will soon thank them for preparing you.

Value familiar faces. Whether you are friends with everyone in your high school or not, value them. Once you get to college, you hardly see familiar faces. Some days I miss just walking in the hallways and seeing a familiar face, or having the majority of people around you know who you are.

Stop trying to grow up so fast. You’re only young for so long. One day you’re 14, entering your freshman year. The next day you’re 20 years old, paying for rent, paying for school and just trying to make ends meet. You’ll be working, studying, balancing a social life, trying to find your future husband, trying to find your future career, the list goes on and on. Don’t wish your life away.

Try out for a sport whether or not you’re good at it. Looking back, I regret not trying softball, quitting volleyball my senior year, not trying basketball. Go out for anything and everything that interests you. You may make some of the best friends of your life. You’ll never know until you try.

Instead of just getting through your days in high school, cherish each moment. Treasure those Friday nights in the stands watching your football team. Appreciate all of the time spent with your friends. Give it your all in sports. Be open to making new friends. Realize that school is important, but so is socialization.

High school may not be the best years of your life, but they are some of the simplest. Make mistakes. Skip a class every now and again. Study your butt off for tests. Participate in senior skip day. Take college courses while they’re free. Take classes that you are interested in. Do what makes you happy.

Once you hit that stage on graduation day, there’s no turning back. Be able to take that diploma and look back on your high school career with no regrets.