With 7 weeks left in my high school career, I find myself reflecting on the past four years more and more every day.

I remember attending GAP camp the summer before my freshman year, which is a week long day camp that prepares incoming ninth graders for the next four years of their lives. At one point during the week all of the then seniors got up on the stage to offer as much advice as they could. They made many good points and gave amazing advice; of course being a 14 year old who wanted to go home that day, it all went in one ear and out the other.

Though I do not regret anything I have done the past four years, because if I hadn’t made the decisions I did I would not be the same person writing to you today. I do wish that I could’ve handled certain situations more effectively.

So what would I tell my freshman self? Hopefully you can take these tips to heart and utilize them the next four years of your life.

1. Educate yourself. Now this may seem irrelevant, as you’re obviously in class every day learning. What I mean is educate yourself on college, careers, and what you need to do to have a successful future. “I am only a freshman.” Yes today you’re a freshman, but these next four years will pass in a heartbeat; do not waste any time.
2. Get involved. Yes I know, it’s scary being a little fish in what seems to be a humongous pond. Trust me, it is not as big as it may seem. That being said, get out there and get involved as soon as you possibly can. Not only will it look great on your college applications later, but it also helps you network. If anything it will bring you out of your shell much more quickly.
3. Do not depend on others. You probably have that one friend that you do everything with. You see them after every class period, you sit with them at lunch, you hang out every weekend, so why not join all of the clubs/sports/classes they join. NO. High school is your trial time; it’s your job to figure out what you like to do not what your friend likes to do. Be an individual and do what you want to do.
4. Push Yourself. Don’t be afraid of the challenge. I am not going to lie to you, what they all say is true; it does get harder but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You want to grow as a student, and prepare yourself for college, so yes take as many vigorous courses as you can.
5. Don’t overdo it. Now I do encourage getting involved, but also do not kill yourself. You still want to keep up good grades, and be able to have free time for yourself. Don’t take on more than you can handle, and it’s okay to drop one thing if you feel it’s getting to be too stressful. You’re too young to be stressed.
6. Ask for help. I know, we don’t want to be that one kid who is ALWAYS raising their hand in class because we consider that to be embarrassing. I am here to say get over that mind set. If you’re struggling, it’s okay to ask someone for help. It’s better to ask and understand now, then to be drowning with one week in the quarter left.
7. Enjoy your youth. I’ve heard it from parents, former students, other adults, “It’ll be over before you know it.” As much as I hate to admit it, they were all right, high school really will end before you know it. Enjoy it as much as you can.
8. Procrastination, don’t do it. Now I will not lie, some of the best essays I’ve written in my life were done the night before they were due (sorry teachers). Life gets busy, things get pushed back I understand, but there are certain things you should never procrastinate on. Start preparing for the SAT and/or the ACT as early as you possibly can. You don’t want to be those seniors who are struggling to get a good score a month before graduation.
9. Don’t worry about others opinions. When you’re 14, everything everyone else has to say is taken to the heart. The concept of “not caring” is nonexistent. I’m about to share a little secret… none of it matters. What sally wore in math class this morning, or whoever Tim kissed at lunch have nothing to do with anyone’s lives. In 4 years you will all graduate, leave Newsome, and will most likely never see anyone ever again.  Focus on you and do what makes you happy.
10. I could go on but in reality, I can’t change my past. What is done is done; the one thing I can say is live life. You really do learn along the way, and life honestly gets better. What would I really say to my freshman self? I wish you luck with all of your endeavors.