Dear 14-year-old self,

You are probably about to graduate eighth grade and it probably seems like the biggest deal ever. You’re wondering how high school will be. Will it be like the movies? Is high school really like that? It’s scary to not know what it will be like, but let me tell you that you will learn so many life lessons throughout those high school years and you will love it.

Going into high school can be nerve-racking and scary. You might be nervous for the first day and even the first few weeks. That is totally understandable. Take that with a grain of salt. There is nothing wrong with being nervous for something, but don’t let it hold you back from anything you want to do.

I want you to take as many risks as you can. Test all the waters, learn what you want to do and what you love. Taking risks can show what hobbies you enjoy and just tell you about your personality in general. This is so important when growing up to really find out what kind of person you want to be and what you want to be remembered for.

You don’t want to be remembered as the “mean girl” or the girl who was “easy”. You want to be remembered for how inclusive, kind, and generous you are. Be the kind of person your parents would be proud of.

Don’t judge others because you don’t know what they are going through. Try and be friends with as many people as you can, and accept others and their differences. Being cultured is such a blessing and you don’t get any benefits from not branching out.

With that being said, branch out but find your core group of friends. Terrible things happen through high school and you are going to need to have that core group of girls to help you through things. You will get in fights with them, but it’s only out of love. Never betray your true friends and always be there for them. This is true always; best friends over boys. Don’t ever pick a guy over your best friends. That is when you have your priorities mixed up. Boys come and go, but your girlfriends are forever.

BE YOURSELF. It is so incredibly unnecessary to be anyone but you. I know you are a confident kid, so don’t ever lose that.

Give school your best try. You don’t need to be the valedictorian, but don’t slack just because you can. School is important, but don’t let that get too much in the way. You’re a kid, so have fun. Life is not as serious as you make it out to be. So what you got a C- on a test? Do better next time. It is NOT the end of the world.

My last piece of advice that I can give you it is my most important. Spend time with those you love during these years because you don’t know how long you will have with them. Don’t fight with your parents because even though you think you are a grown up, stay a kid as long as possible. It is not as fun as it looks and growing up is something I wish I never had to do. Mom is always right.

Have fun, be safe, make good decisions, and be yourself.

Love always,

Your 19-year-old self