Dear 15-year-old high school freshman Devin,
You need some help and a completely new wardrobe. I’m writing to you from the future, as I’m just weeks away from being finished with my freshman year of college. Time flies when you’re having fun, huh? I’m obviously super mature and wise now (…or not), and I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned along the way that might reduce the amount of times I cringe while revisiting you in the past.
1. Being intelligent does not label you as “nerdy” or as a “teacher’s pet.” Ask questions in class when you don’t understand and put the effort in to your work. Not taking things seriously just because you don’t think they matter is only going to inhibit your ability to succeed in the future when college application season rolls around. It may only be high school, but this is the foundation for the rest of your education. It is important.
2. Don’t be so concerned with how other people perceive you. You quite literally won’t need to see any of these people after graduation. They don’t have to like you, just as you don’t have to pretend to like them either. Just be comfortable being you. Be comfortable wearing your hand-me-down sweatshirt and yoga pants that you slept in last night without having to cake on makeup or curl your hair at six in the morning. No one cares, seriously.
3. Reach out to others. Don’t spend so much time miserably strolling through high school that you don’t acknowledge the community that will surround you for the next four years. Talk to the kid you sit next to in math class; bond over how hard you think freshman algebra is. It’s the little connections in this small town that you’ll cherish when it’s all over. Make as many different friends as you can. Most people are pretty interesting if you give them a try.
4. Boys should be the absolute last thing on your long list of “Things That Stress Out Young, Insecure, Teenage Girls.” Contrary to popular belief, finding a boyfriend in high school is not the only place to find a boyfriend in your entire life. It’s not like the entire male population ceases to exist after high school. In fact, they grow taller than 5’5 and some even have facial hair and muscles in the future; it’s wild. Plus, you don’t even know who you are yet. Focus on trying to find ways to love yourself right now, then we can work on allowing others to love you.
5. Similarly, alcohol isn’t going anywhere. You don’t have to struggle to find plans every single weekend, as if any house party is really going to be more fun than watching a movie in sweats at home. (Pro-tip: In the rare case that a neighbor doesn’t call the cops ten minutes after you arrive, their parents will probably stroll in soon and you’ll have to scatter anyway.) Save the partying for later. There will be plenty of time for that in the future.
6. Stop posting weird Facebook statuses of quotes and lyrics that “speak” to you and your teenage angst. They will come back to haunt you when your friends get bored in class and stalk your posts. Trust me.
Despite the fact that I’ve had to lock four early high school Facebook photo albums from the public’s view due to pure embarrassment, I miss it so much, awkwardness included. If it weren’t for the things I experienced, the mistakes I made or the people I met, I might not be where I am right now. And hey, I must be doing something right if I’ve made it this far!