High school can be great... at sucking the fun out of your life. Though high school isn't always that bad, It really depends on the day. Here are a few hacks to make surviving high school a little easier from a recent high school graduate-

1. Friends Or...?

This one seems obvious, but high school is filled with people who are only concerned with themselves. You have to be careful who you trust, in all stages of life, but especially in high school. Just be aware that not everyone has your best intentions at heart and it can hurt when someone stabs you in the back. Friends are supposed to help each other out, if a friend is pressuring you to do something you have clearly expressed you do not want to do-- they are not your friend. Be aware these phony friends look and act like normal friends majority of the time but know it's okay to “torch” that friendship's bridge. Making friends throughout high school is an awesome way to expand as a person. You can see who is actually you friend through the tough times and the sun shine times. Remember that high school drama won't define you and keep your head up even if a phony friend tries to tear you down!

2. Involve Yourself

I didn't get involved in something until my senior year and I wish I had done it sooner! There are so many opportunities schools offer to students. You can join a sport, a play, or an after-school choir. There are dozens of clubs that meet once a week that will help you make new relationships with students-- and bonus it might be able to help with those pesky college applications!

I hated speaking in class, even when I knew the answer, I would just sit there and wait for someone else to answer. I get it some classes are boring and it can be awkward to get the answer wrong. However, speaking up in class helps your participation, shows the teacher you actually are listening, and you are able to hold more intelligent conversations. All it takes is one person to say something that can spark a whole conversation that the class can get involved in!

4. Study... Seriously!

Studying makes good grades. Good grades means better chances of following the career choice you want. Studying can be super boring, believe me I know, but making flashcards or games or any other tools will benefit you in so many ways. Also do not just study the class period before, even though it's tempting and you can get away with it, it makes a bad study habit, one that's hard to break! Instead start to study for a test or quiz three days in advance, if not more. And study before bed, the brain retains more information-- who knew? Creating a study schedule or plan will make you feel less stressed and more prepared while helping you make a long term good habit.

This tip goes along with studying and speaking in class. When you don't understand a topic, ask the teacher to go over it again. Don't feel dumb or embarrassed because chances are there are other students who are confused as well! The teacher may take another day to reteach the lesson or give out homework that repeats the process more so you can remember it. Doing your homework when it's assigned, and not BS-ing it five minutes before class starts only improves you as a student.

6. When You Need Help, Ask/Get It

If you need help ask for it, talk to a trusted friend and adult. It's okay to feel overwhelmed with everything you have to do, it's okay to go to your Guidance Counselor and talk. Sometimes you might just have to unload everything and you’ll feel better. Though if you are having serious problems, go to a medical professional and better yourself. You never have to be ashamed of how you are feeling mentally or emotionally. High school is a very difficult stretch of time, and taking care of yourself is vital.

7. Take A Class You Normally Wouldn't

School is often a time to chill and talk with your buddies and oh yeah LEARN! There seems to be an ongoing trend of taking “easy” classes so you don't have to try, but that's just selling yourself short. Instead, challenge yourself and gain experience in something you normally wouldn't! Besides your core classes, take a variety of courses, you may find out you really enjoy music, business, art, woodshop, or a second language! You won't regret taking a different class because it's a learning experience! You are learning about yourself and your interests.

8. Slacking Off Only Hurts You

Make yourself your number one priority. It might sound selfish, but if you are constantly stretched too thin eventually you'll snap. To help manage your time, invest in a planner. This is honestly a life saver, you can write down your daily to do list, goals, and grocery lists. basically anything you need to write down to stay organized will go in your planner. Now just because your number one priority is yourself doesn't give you the excuse to be a jerk face. Using a planner is an organizational tool to help keep you focussed on what needs to be done and when.

9. Save Your Money

Spending every dollar to your name wont help a thing. Instead of buying caffeinated drinks before school every morning, skip it and save those precious dollar bills for something later in life. To help make saving money a little easier for newbies, create a budget for yourself. See how much you are actually spending, it can be a real wake up call! Every time you want to spend some money, ask yourself if you can live without it or if its a necessity. If your finding it difficult to save, make it a reward for yourself. Pick out something that you want to buy, like maybe a new pair of jeans, and once you save up enough you can decide to keep saving or buy those jeans!

10. Get A Job

If you have time and energy, once or twice a week can make a big difference. Since you're saving money already, why not picking up a couple shifts a week at a local place? A little bit of pocket money is better than no money! Also this teaches you time management, people skills, and helps build your resume. If your schedule doesn't permit you having a part time job, think about putting out babysitting flyers or dog walking flyers around your area! You would be able to control your own working hours!

Now just because you're young and want to reinvent yourself, fitting in should be the last thing on your list. Actually it shouldn't even be on your list. Popularity isn't what it's like in the movies and no matter where you are in life there will be mean people whether they are popular or not. It's more important to be who you are and be confident with who you are because you are an amazing person!

12. Reinvent Yourself

Entering High School at age 14 and graduating at age 18, there's quite a bit that can happen. It is the perfect time to try something new out! Always wanted a pixie cut? Do it! Hate dresses? Wear sweatpants. Want to dye your hair a bunch of different colors? Just look at me, I'm surprised my hair hasn't fallen out from bleach damage. High school is a time of growth and self discovery, reinventing yourself shouldn't be something your scared to try! it should be something you embrace! Also reinventing how you look can give you a huge confidence boost and that's pretty nice too.

Bonus: Enjoy It!

So here's a little, itty, bitty bonus tip for you. It might seem like high school drags on and on and on but one day you will be off to the next step in your life! All high school experiences are different but hopefully these tips and tricks will help make the best of any situation.

Good luck to all you high schoolers, and remember that these are just a few of my tips and things that I've found made high school better, or I know friends have done or experienced! Do you have any high school tips? Tell me in the comments below!!