We all have those moments where we run out of space on our phones and need to upload photos to our computers. Last night was one of those nights. What I found from scrolling too far? Old photos from high school. These photos were able to bring back memories; some good and some bad. Seeing myself trying to awkwardly fit in and be someone I am not, thinking I know what I need to do to be accepted by my peers. Little did I know, it would take years after that to finally learn who I am and who I would be surrounded by. Now while looking at these photos, I came up with a list of things I wish I could go back to tell my high school freshman James and the photos I would bring back to show him everything works out fine. Here is just twelve pieces of advice I want to tell myself eight years ago.
You don't know everything.
You may think you know everything in the world but sit down because you don't. You'll still call mom and Jay from time to time to ask how to do things or for help. Hell, you'll be screaming for your housemate for help with the simplest task or with a stupid question! The only issue with that sometimes they won't even know!
You don't need a girlfriend right now.
It will be maybe a two month relationship. I will tell you now forget it, don't do it, worst choice ever, abandon ship. You don't need to look for someone in high school. Pay attention in class and do well; you have all of college for that. Also you'll also have a friend that everyone will think you should be with. Just let them say it and move along, don't grab the shovel and dig the hole deeper than it should be.
Get off the phone.
Okay really? Who are you texting during class that's so important? We both know you don't have an amazing social life. Get off the damn phone, stop playing games on it, open you notes, look at the board, and learn!
Take chances and don't hold back.
I know sitting in the house playing Playstation may seem like the cool thing to do but in the end, you won't get much from it. Go out, do something, anything! Just don't sit in the house every weekend by yourself. Also, people will say no to you. Tell you that you can't do something because you wouldn't be the right fit. I say screw them, go after it and if you fail? So what? At least you can say you tried.
Enjoy your sleep.
Yeah, that nice amount of sleep you get? Treasure it. Think staying up until 1:30am to do the two page paper you didn't do is late? Just you wait. Wait until you see what you decide to join in college and what 5 hours of sleep, if that, feels like. Yeah waking up for that 7:15 bus won't sound so bad in eight years.
Do not watch Jersey Shore.
It lasts for the first three years of high school and it's what everyone will be talking about but it's trash TV. It's like a horrible car crash, you don't want to look but you do anyway and then you're addicted to it. Try a show like How I Met Your Mother, 30 Rock, or Parks & Recreation.
Prom and senior banquet will be the two highlights of high school, so soak them up.
We both know you love to suit up (again start to watch How I Met Your Mother to get this reference). The memories you make will be great. You may not stay with some of those people for long but you will remember what you did those nights forever. Also, do not try the spray tan, you will regret it when you go for the second time. Trust me you're better off going with your pale Irish skin.
Be better with family.
You may think they aren't the coolest but they're blood. Mom will always yell that at you when you fight with one of them. Enjoy going out with them, whether it's the trip to the city for mom to get the photo by the tree with us or just a family dinner because when you're in college you'll see them a quarter of the year for four years and soon they'll be away at school while you're home.
Life sucks.
Yeah you're going to hit some bumps in the road. You already have had a rocky road but just get back up, don't get hung up on stuff, and let it help shape you and make you stronger.
Friends will come and go.
The people you meet now, yeah the 200+ people you're "friends" with on Facebook, you'll stay in contact with a handful who you will see now and then. You'll keep some of them on social media. But in the end you'll have the five guys from back home plus the amazing second family you find in college. You'll be taken from the guys for a little because of circumstances you thought you couldn't control but in the end, you'll be right back to hanging with them like nothing happened. So don't worry about the rest of the crowds of people you want to hang with.
Avoid any drama you can.
Between now and senior year of high school you'll have people coming at you with problems, rumors, they will say people talked about you, and anything else that can cause issues for you and friends. Drama that comes into your life will ruin friendships. Don't worry about it. Just keep moving on like it wasn't your problem.
Please yourself.
I know, you want to make everyone happy because that's what you want to do. Well knock it off, stop being a people pleaser. Look out for yourself, learn how to work with people, and make your voice be heard for once because people will use you if you keep up the shyness.
