To My Little Sister Starting High School,

Welcome to some of the most exciting years of your life. You are about to discover so many new things about yourself and the world around you. There will be times life is so great and times when life gets you down a bit. There are going to be so many new experiences and opportunities for you. There are several things I learned in high school, some that I wish I would have known before I walked through those doors as a freshman, and I want you to know those.

Get involved.

Getting involved in different organizations in high school was the best thing I did. I made so many good friends, some I still talk to today, three years after graduating. But I waited until later in my high school years to get involved. As a freshman, I just stuck to cheerleading and that was about it. Once I joined yearbook committee and student council, I really felt like I grew as a person. Both allowed me to become more of a leader and find my voice. My best advice is to find yourself an organization freshman year and get really involved. It will open the door for several opportunities in the future.

Follow your dreams and stay true to yourself.

There are going to be several people who will find anything they can to put you down because you don’t conform to the status quo. I’m telling you that do not ever need to change who you are because of what someone else thinks. You follow your dreams and be exactly who you are. Even if you aren’t sure who you are, there is nothing wrong with figuring that out. Do not ever let someone tell you that you aren’t good enough. Only you can decide what is perfect for you.

There will be “best friends” who really aren’t best friends.

I learned the really hard way several times, some girls are mean and are not the friends you think they are. I know that you are one of the sweetest girls ever and have a heart of gold, and people will take advantage of that. If someone isn’t treating you the way you deserve to be treated, they don’t deserve any of your time or any place in your life. It is OK to believe the best in people, but sometimes they will let you down, and it’s not fun. But I promise it will make you a stronger person in the long run. I can also promise you, though, there will be friends who will stay with you for a lifetime -- keep those people close to your heart. It will make life a whole lot better to have them around.

That boy that seems too good to be true, he is.

Being in high school can be confusing as it is -- add a cute boy to the mix, and it can get more confusing. There will be boys who come around and seem like they are the greatest thing in the world, and sure, they might actually be, but most of the time they end up disappointing you. Don’t let a boy control your happiness, and never let them make you feel like less of a person. Just like I said before, always be true to yourself, and if some silly high school boy doesn’t see how amazing of a girl you are, he does not deserve you.

You might not want to listen to my advice right now, but I wish I knew some of these things before I started high school. It is going to be an emotional roller coaster for the next four years, but you will enjoy them if you do what makes you happy. And for those times when things are hard and you need advice or someone to talk to, I will ALWAYS be here for you. Or even if you want to share your excitement and happiness, I’ll be here also. I will always be here as your big sister, a shoulder you can lean on and a friend. I love you more than words can describe.

Love,

Your Big Sister