Dear High School Freshman Me,
I would like to start by pointing out to you how utterly pointless it is to be shy. I get it, it's a great big world, and you're one little tiny person, but seriously, you shouldn't fear what might happen if you stand out. You don't need to stand out to be somebody, but focusing on fitting in isn't an effective way of maintaining your happiness, human nature dictates that you will quickly get bored of that. Put yourself out there, join that club that intrigued you are the extra-curricular's fair, and for heaven's sake you have GREAT THINGS in your brain, so speak up!
If you thought the first part of this was a reality check, then you're in for a real shocker here- HIGHSCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS ARE OVERRATED. A wise woman once told me "remember that everyone you date, you are either going to break up with or marry." You are 15. If you wait for 3 years to date, it your chance to find love is nowhere near being over. Spending time getting your heart broken and doing things you regret with someone who will later either break your heart or have their heart broken by you is one of the biggest myths of happiness for teenagers these days. Yes, sometimes dating is fun and emotionally satisfying, but spending more time crying over a boyfriend than making memories with your true friends is a huge waste of time. High school isn't about finding your groom, it's about finding your bridesmaids. "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
Even though you haven't really felt it yet, you will in the very near future feel pressured to party. I am going to tell you something here that I want you to remember whenever you allow yourself to indulge in this meaningless right of passage- memories are more fun when you can remember them and aren't traumatized by them. I know you've head this part before but please please watch your drinks, this means don't turn your eyes away from it for even a second, and if you must then at least cover it with your hand. You don't realize it, but the reality of the date rape drug is only becoming more and more common.
The last thing I must take the time to tell you is that worrying will not change your tomorrow, it will only harm your rest tonight. "Fix your eyes upon what is unseen rather than what is seen, for what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal."
Signed,
College Freshman Me
