Back-to-school time is here!
Crazy, I know. By now, most of us are probably already sleep deprived, 10-cups-of-coffee-drinking zombies stressed from head to toe, but there's a few things we should remember during the chaos that is back to school.

1. Wipe the slate clean.

No matter how old you are, a new school year is a chance to start fresh. Your friends might change, your teachers will be different, and for the first time in your life, you might have a hard time with math (or english, or history, or sports...) The point is, get rid of your expectations. This year is what you make of it, and it can be whatever you want it to be.

2. Keep an open mind.

School is the time when you learn from people who aren't just like you. Keep an open mind to others' opinions and ideas. It might just change the way you think about the issues that are most important to you.

3. Be prepared.

This should go without saying, but being prepared at the beginning of the school year and then staying organized can do a lot for you! Having the right supplies and books for all your classes can really make a difference. (And your teachers will thank you!)

4. You can do this.

Coming out of summer break, the thought constantly going through your head is probably, "Why? I can't do this! Summer, come back!" but you can do this. School is only a few years out of your life, five days out of the week, for a few hours a day. Sure, you have homework and you might have sports, but there are ways to make those things fun!

5. You can't please everyone.

Especially during the first few weeks back to school, it's easy to feel like you constantly need to make a good impression on everyone that's surrounding you. My advice to you is to try and take a step back to realize this isn't always the case. As cliche as it sounds, just be yourself! Being fake to impress others won't help you in the long run, and most of the time they'll see right through it anyway.

6. Chose your friends carefully.

People aren't always who they seem to be. Use your amazing judgement, have fun, and meet new people, but if your gut instinct says they can't be trusted, then listen. Choosing your friends carefully will save you from a lot of drama down the line.

7. Rumors are going to happen.

Everyone I know in high-school has had some sort of rumor started about them. No matter how big or small, stupid or ridiculous, true or false, learn to trust the people the rumors are about, not just everything that comes out of other people's mouths.

8. You shouldn't care what they think.

There's probably going to be a time when those rumors are about you. Put on your don't-f-with-me face, and tell the truth. Then let it go. It'll all blow over in a few days or weeks. Everyone's too worried about their own issues and secrets to worry about yours for very long.

9. Make it count.

As much as we might hate it, and as easy as it is to forget, we're here to learn. Don't breeze through an assignment just to have it done with, don't fail an exam because "It doesn't really matter." Because while it may not seem like it now, it does.

10. Have fun.

It's easy to get caught up in all the work and drama of the school-year, and it's even easier to forget to have fun. Sure, it's only a few years of your life, but why not have a little fun and enjoy yourself instead of being miserable? Do things on the weekends, go to prom, hang out with your friends during work period. Do whatever you can to be the happy and fun person you love to be, while keeping up with your work and sports.

Work hard, have fun, and try to have no drama.