I wish I knew this was the beginning of it all. I wish I knew that the beginning of my future started the day I walked through those doors on the first day of high school. I wish I understood that nothing else mattered more to my future than these upcoming four years. I wish I didn't believe that it wouldn't matter until junior year when you're getting ready to begin looking at colleges. I wish I understood the reality - the no looking back moment - where it was going to start right here, right now whether I was ready for it or not.

I wish I knew that the future I wanted started the day I walked into that first day of high school on the first day of my freshman year. I wish I took it seriously, understanding that every single class mattered and understanding that every single test was being put towards that final GPA and that final transcript that would later be mailed to my college. And I wish I knew beforehand that those two things were going to be what singlehandedly decided my fate for whatever school I wanted go to.

I wish I knew on the first day of high school that everything I did mattered. I wish I didn't think it didn't matter that much until the hardest and third year of being there. I wish I thought more about the days that I said I didn't want to be there and the days I didn't want to pay attention to what my teacher was saying. I wish I took about 20 more minutes out of my day to go over that paper or finish studying for that test. I wish, I wish, I wish.

So here's the truth: don't wish, just do. The day you walk into high school on the first day of your freshman year, remember that this is the moment your future starts. That's where everything begins to matter and that's where it's going to matter the most. Choose wisely and push through it. It may seem hard to understand at first and it all may seem pointless, but I promise in the long run that it will all be worth it. Take every day in high school as a day that will determine your future. And never forget high school because it will be some of the greatest days of your entire life.

Don't spend your time wishing for it. Just go after it and work for it.