Being out of high school for nearly two years, I’ve learned a lot more than organic chemistry. I’ve learned that 90 percent of the things that happen in high school are forgotten within the first two weeks. The prom queen, the quarterback, and all the drama in between are past memories. But the biggest thing I’ve taken away from stepping back from my home town is that there is so much more to life than being pretty.

1. Having A Plan

Many high school graduates are focused on walking across the stage, getting that diploma, and never looking back. Many know they want to do something, and most plan on attending college. But when you ask most graduates what they are majoring in, most of them have no clue. Being undecided at 18 years old won’t ruin your life, but it may set you back a year or two. Having a plan and knowing what you end goal is, is attractive.

2. Being Smart

Getting good grades, whether that be in high school, college, or wherever life takes you, will open doors and take you farther than that new outfit and expensive makeup will. Skipping class and not doing work will take you nowhere in life. Being able to say you made the Dean’s list is attractive.

3. Making Good Decisions

Too often even the best of people make horrible decisions. All it takes is one mistake, at one party, to ruin your life. Doing drugs, smoking cigarettes, and going out half naked is not attractive. What is attractive is being the one who can make it back to their room after a night out and remember all of their actions. Having fun is rite of passage, but don’t let your actions define you. Having a level head on your shoulders is attractive.

4. Having Someone To Turn To

Everyone can have numerous acquaintances but very few people have someone they can truly call their best friend. This someone could be a family member or complete stranger. Having someone to bounce ideas off of and turn to for support guides you through life. Many times teenage relationships are built on drama. Being able to have a healthy relationships with other human beings is attractive.

5. Being A People Person

Being a people person doesn’t have to mean having the most friends or being the loudest one in the room. To have the characteristic of “being a people person” is being able to talk to anyone about anything. In a world filed with social media thoughts under 140 characters, be that person who can talk to a stranger with valid and thought-filled ideas. Holding a conversation is attractive.

6. Simply Being Nice

Nowadays it seems that kind-hearted is rarely used as an adjective. Talking about someone is easy, but saying truly honest and kind words about someone is a little harder. To become known as the nice person, one cannot only demonstrate kind acts now and then. Being kind when no one is looking is attractive.

Being pretty is surface deep, but being beautiful runs through your viens.