High school and the years following are a confusing time for everyone. Trying to balance a social life, work, friends, a relationship, all while attempting to keep your grades up gets stressful REAL fast. If you didn't have a mental breakdown between your junior year of high school and freshman year of college then congratulations, you're the lucky less-than-one-percent.

For the rest of us that had mental breakdowns, some of us more than others (I'm not ashamed to say yes, I totally cried a few hundred times), high school and the years after were a stressful time full of epiphanies and realizations. Sometime between all the social hangouts and cramming to study for tomorrow's test, we learned a few valuable lessons that not only go on with us but changed us in a way (for the better I hope). If you haven't learned any of these by now, then you probably were homeschooled but that's okay because I'll do a short recap of all the "fun" you have been missing out on.

1. Worry more about grades, and less about relationships

Especially in high school. Everyone is a f*ckboy in high school. Everyone. Your crush, their friends, their friends' friends, their neighbors, your neighbors, your neighbor's older brother/sister, everybody. Focus on YOUR life and being stress-free and independent. Focus on your grades and what you're going to do be doing for the rest of your life. That f*ckboy will be just fine waiting until you're done studying to talk to them.

2. People actually kinda suck, unless they don't

Ohhhh yes, you will meet people that you want to punch in the face but unfortunately, you can't and you will just have to deal with seeing them every day (because violence is never the answer, duh). You'll meet teachers that you dislike and that just seem like they don't want you to pass, and then you'll meet teachers who help you and guide you and are lovely and wonderful (and then you end up traveling the world with them, s/o to Cheryl).

Some people are also really petty, you'll meet that one girl that only has lies coming out of her mouth every time she opens the darn thing. But, as long as they're not about you then you just have to disregard her entire existence.

3. Friends really do come and go

Everyone says this and you never believe it until your friend actually goes. You plan your whole life with them too like, aww how sad. It's like a breakup, almost. At first, you really do care. You care about them talking sh*t about you, you care about why you guys aren't friends anymore, and you care about whoever they are hanging out with next. Then you hit college and you lose all your friends then when someone asks what happened to them you're like "who??????". Exactly. Friends come and go, you meet some and you lose some.

4. Looks really don't matter

At some point, you just realize "who exactly am I trying to impress at this school???". Then you make fun of all the freshmen who are dressed nice and have their makeup done because that was you some time before you had your first mental breakdown.

Unless you're going on a job interview, going on a date, or going to a club or some type of social event, then looks really don't matter. Especially not for school.

5. You won't always make the right choices

Sometimes you're gonna decide to stay out later instead of studying for that test because "it's pretty easy, and I looked over it once or twice". That's okay. Sometimes you're gonna listen to the f*ckboy and fall for his evil tricks, and that's okay. Life is a learning experience, even more-so during these weird years.

What's that saying? "You can't be wise without the experience"?? Or is it, "The wisest ones have had the most experience"??? Something like that. You get my point.

6. Loving yourself

Don't change yourself because some guy or girl told you that they don't like something about you. Like after high school and college, you're never gonna see/speak to them again anyway so why would you even listen to irrelevant people???

We live in a society where companies make a great profit off of our own insecurities (makeup, weight loss, wax, etc.). Learn how to love yourself and not give into to that vicious cycle that is the hedonic treadmill.

7. Take the high road

This is huge. Not everyone will like you throughout life, it's your choice on how you react on that. Immature people are going to talk and spread gossip, you really don't need to stoop to that level. Tell the truth when you're asked, if they don't ask, then they obviously don't care enough to know the truth.

8. Not knowing is okay

It's actually okay to ask questions if you don't know something. Likely someone who's more experienced in adulting than you are will know the answer.

9. Don't take yourself too seriously

You still have time to figure out your life. Take time to laugh at yourself and your mistakes. Life isn't all about the destination, the journey is pretty exciting as well.

10. Appreciate the beautiful things

Once your older people get kinda sh*tty so appreciate those who take the time to do something for you. Take the time to appreciate the scenery in life and take in all that you can during your crazy, yet exciting journey.