Quite possibly one of the biggest/liberating moments of my life occurred this weekend. And no, I’m not talking about the Danville Mud runs, which I had the lovely opportunity to attend. That itself could be another blog all in its own, but right now, I’m talking about graduation.

Oh yes, graduation. What a happy/sad/scary day. But I did it. I made it through all those years at West Holmes. Thank God.

Now that I look back, there are so many things I wish I knew back when I started high school. So much, from everything that seems so simple to the big, complicated problems. Oh, the things that I know now would have saved me so many troubles, but that’s what I’m doing right now. I’m going to tell anyone going into high school the most important things that I have learned through my four years.

And the first will be the biggest…



#1 Don’t waste your time in a “serious” relationship.

Now I do know this from experience. In high school, you seem invincible. Which is complete crap… I mean, there are many good things that can come from being in relationships with one another... But I’m warning you now that you will be much happier without the drama, stress, and heartbreak.

It may seem like a good idea to have a boyfriend/girlfriend all the time, but sadly, it’s not.



#2 Spend your four years being the most important thing you can be, YOU.

Leave behind the people who treat you badly, embrace the ones who don’t, and always remember that having a best friend is key to surviving.

I’m dead serious. Through my four years, I have kept one really close friend in my life, and without her, I’m pretty sure I would have gone insane by now. Having someone by your side to help you through everything is key to high school. Whether it be homework or when you’re having a breakdown in the bathroom, you’re going to be glad that you know someone is always there.



#3 Don’t be just a student.

This is a HUGE reason why I survived high school. There were a couple teachers that I became close to. I could talk to them about things that were going on, and they would help you. Sometimes, it’s good to hear advice from people who think rationally, something I’m afraid I’m not good at. Trust me.

I spent every sixth period lunch class with my entire group of friends in my physics teacher’s lab playing ping pong. It’s things like that you will remember, because I sure know that remembering how to find centripetal acceleration will be nearly impossible. Those other memories will last a lifetime.



#4 Don’t be rude.

I used to think that my close group of friends were the only people I could talk to, but, sadly this was where I was wrong again. I didn’t start reaching out to other people until my senior year. Which I regret. I saw some of these people every day and didn’t know a single thing about them. Get to know people, talk to them, and don’t you dare judge before you do.

Some of the nicest people out there are ones you talk about, I’m serious. We all know you do it, everyone talks, but don’t believe everything you here. If you follow this one rule, it will get you far.



#5 Stay drama free.

This is such an amazing talent if you can achieve it. I’m serious. I will promise you that you will spend high school much happier without people hating you, or you hating them.

I mean when you graduate and make a Facebook status about making sure that you forgive the people who caused you drama, there’s a good chance that the person who made that status is the drama starter. Stay away from them, just stay away.



#6 Take chances

This one is another good one. I am completely for taking every opportunity handed to you. Meet new people, learn new things, and give everything a chance. I wouldn’t be writing this blog if I wouldn’t have taken the opportunity to work for GPI. Now, look at me, I’m filming vlogs (video blogs) with cows and Victoria. (you all should watch it I promise you won’t be disappointed! Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LQzh_yoJWQ&feature=player_embedded)

But anyway take chances and live your life to the fullest, you won’t regret it.



#7 Life goes on.

I think this last piece of advice is for life in general. (I know what most of you are thinking, what does this 17 year old know about life anyway? But hear me out.) You have bad days, days that make you feel terrible, but life goes on. You pick up the pieces of your crappy day and go home and do it all over again the next. The key is staying happy. It’s the most important thing of all.



So as I am concluding this I hope this helps anyone in high school. Whether you are there now, or will be soon, these things are extremely important. I know that high school is rough, but after you graduate, every single obstacle was worth it. Every single one.

This quote helped me a lot (I hope this isn’t corny).

“In the end everything will be OK. If it’s not OK now, it’s not the end.”

Congrats Class of 2012. We did it! And good luck to the future classes at West Holmes High School. You can do it, too.