After six years of being a teen, my teenage years are coming to a close, and as I look back on these years I see how little I knew about life or what I was doing. I realize all the things I wish I would have known or wish someone had told me. If I had the chance to tell my teenage self a few things I’d say…

1. Don't be afraid of what other people think of you.

Be confident in who you are. You only get this one story to write, make sure the story is genuine. Don't make it about somebody else make it about yourself. Share your imperfections and acknowledge their existence.

2. Work hard but not too hard.

Enjoy your childhood, it's going to go by way too fast. You'll blink and before you know it, you'll be making major life decisions, like where you want to go to college or what career would suit you best. So be a kid, enjoy not having to make hard decisions.

3.Show your school spirit.

Go to all the football games, cheer on your high school team even if they're terrible. Go to all the homecoming dances, and have fun with your friends. Scream the lyrics to your favorite songs until you lose your voice.

4. Appreciate the easiness of high school, college is a thousand times harder.

Sure your school day is longer, but classes are only fifty minutes long. Remember when study halls were a thing? Use them to your advantage. Don't spend time goofing off. Talk to your teachers when you're confused, they actually want to help.

5. Save your money.

Think of your future and where you want to be in a few years. In college you will be broke. You won't have time or the stamina to work while you in college. You really don't need anything.

6. Never think you're too cool for your family.

In the end, your family are the only people that will stick by your side no matter what. Friends will go their separate ways, and create their own lives that may or may not include you.

7. Come out of your shell.

Nobody will know the real you if you never show them. Tell people your puns, no matter how bad they are. Never apologize for something you geek out over.

8. Thank your parents for being strict. They were just trying to protect you because they love you.

9. It's okay to have a small group of friends.

Turns out it's even better. Lucky for you they'll all stick around and its easier to hangout with them even though you are all hours apart.

10. Take risks.

Stop playing it safe. Live a little, within reason.

11. Go to prom.

Even if you have nobdoy to go with, it's something that only happens once. You have to go.

12. Don't get too attached.

High school and being a teenager is only temporary, along with everything that comes with this time. Don't get too attached to it all.

13. Your first heartbreak isn't the end of the world.

Whatever broke your heart, whether it be your first breakup, losing a friend for the first time or something else, it goes on and gets better.