High school: some people say it's the best time of their life, while others would undoubtedly say it was indefinitely the worst. For me, high school wasn't horrible. I didn't like my school very much, but my close circle of friends and the upper-level classes I took taught by more chill teachers made it more bearable. My school was usually not very strict and I respected my teachers, so I generally had zero problems with assignments, behavior, or other things of that nature. Now, in college, I somewhat regret taking my high school years for granted. So to the class of 2017, enjoy it.

Aside from just what's going on in school, you're thinking about what you're going to do for the rest of your life. College, jobs, all that good stuff. And I understand. Applying for college was one of the most stressful things I did. On top of all that, you're probably playing two or three sports, in five or more clubs, and you might even already have a job. There's not a more stressful time in a teenager's life than their senior year of high school.

One thing you have to prepare yourself for, unfortunately, is that everything isn't going to work out the way you want it to. You're gonna apply to schools and guess what? You're gonna get rejected at some places.. and it sucks. I know the feeling all too well. But here I am, at a school that has made me extremely happy. Of course, you'll have those horrible (not really, but you're jealous of them) that have 4.0 and perfect ACT/SAT score and get in everywhere they apply. But this doesn't happen for everyone, and it is okay. The important thing is that you apply several places so you aren't stranded with no options. Remember, everything happens for a reason and chances are, you'll be happy wherever you end up going.

Take your ACT and SAT more than once! I know, it's super early in the morning and no one wants to do it. All your friends are going to a party Friday and you're getting wasted, there's no way you're gonna wake up at 7am for that shit. Oh, but you better. Go out Saturday night after you take the test and celebrate all your hard work.

Now, to contradict myself a little, also don't pass up opportunities to hang out with your high school friends. Next year, most of you will go your separate ways and maybe see each other at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and in the summer, assuming you'll all come home. But sadly, college does change people and they might not be the same upon each other's return.

A lot of people say that once you go to college, you forget about your high school friends and probably won't talk to them anymore. While that may happen to some people, this isn't always the case. I spent my senior year building good relationships with my large friend group and we all even still talk in a group chat sometimes. If you're lucky enough to have friends like this, hang on to that. Don't let college change you too much because I promise, you aren't better than anyone.

And that brings me to my next point; check yourself. You might be the "most popular" boy or girl in your high school but when you come to college, you're back at the bottom of the totem pole. You're probably not gonna know anyone and you're gonna have to make all new friends. Personally, I love making new friends. However, you have to keep an open mind and if you come to college thinking you're the coolest thing ever with a cocky attitude, sorry but you're gonna have a very hard time. At college, no one cares if you were homecoming queen or captain of the football team. Everyone starts over here.

So, I'd like the Class of 2017 to take four things from this:

1. Work hard. Don't stop the grind.

2. Be prepared for failure and rejection. It's inevitable and happens to everyone in the real world, which you are about to enter (yikes).

3. Hang out with your friends; don't lose them.

and finally, 4. Don't come to college thinking you're better than everyone else, because you will be rudely awakened.

Good luck Class of 2017! YOU CAN DO IT.