My Advice to High Schoolers.

When they say high school is the fastest four years of your life they weren't lying, so take it all in! Enjoy every moment before it becomes a memory.

"Don't blink, life goes faster than you think." -Kenney Chesney

I had some ups and downs in my time as a high school student. I failed tests, had unhealthy friendships, lost tough games/competitions, got my heart broken, and everything in between. I also learned what I am good at, found lifelong friends, won big games /competitions, fell in love, and had so many other awesome moments. Yes, there are a few things I wish I did differently or things I wish would have had a different outcome, but I feel like I don't have very many regrets overall.

The reason I want to give this advice is because my sister Addie is starting high school this year, and these are a few things I wish someone had told me when I was a Freshman!

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My 10 Tips of Advice for All High Schoolers:

1. Start Strong.

Freshman year you really need to buckle down on school work. Get your study habits figured out and get that GPA as high as you can (you will thank yourself later when you actually take hard classes). Besides school work, start strong in your activities too! In sports, work your butt of in practice and in the weight room, it will most definitely pay off as you get older. Upperclassmen: once you get toward the end, finish even stronger. Sometimes you see the finish line and can be tempted to coast it in. Be strong all the way to the end, that is what you've worked for all those years... and Paul Wilson said so.

2. Be Organized.

In your week, there are so so many priorities and obligations you have to your school, clubs, teams, family, and friends. It helped me a lot to have a planner to organized my schedule and see it on paper as well as have a checklist to see what I have done and what I still need to do. You don't want to forget a big test because you are focused on the big game... you must be successful in the classroom to be able to even be on the field/court. Also, don't forget to save some time for yourself. Do things you want to do and give yourself some time to relax. Work hard, play hard.

3. Be YOU.

I don't know how many times I felt the need to impress people or do what other people wanted me to do, ecspecially in my younger years of high school. I wish I would've learned earlier on to stick to who I am and not who people wanted me to be. Don't let others change who you are, you are awesome! I regret putting on makeup and doing my hair everyday as a freshman, what a waste of my sweet sleeping time!! Idk who I was trying to impress?? This can also mean to stick to your values, don't fall to peer pressure. Stay true to all that you are.

4. Get Involved.

Sooo many memories I have come from being involved in sports, clubs, and with my school. Join some clubs, go out for sports... that is where you make friends and so many memories. My favorite parts of high school were being in sports and going to school events. Freshman: If the seniors make a spirit theme, go to the game and DO THE THEME! Have some school spirit and show your fellow classmates some support, they work hard to play the sports they love. High school is so much more fun when you find a way to get involved!

5. Build Friendships.

It can sometimes be hard to see the people you once knew so well change in high school to someone you just don't know anymore. Don't force unhealthy friendships and do not feel pressured to stay in relationships that aren't working. Instead, stick with the people who want to see you succeed, the ones you share the same values, morals, and goals with. If you get involved, I can bet that you will find some great friends that have some of the same experiences and want the same things as you. My teammates will be my forever friends.

6. Don't Worry.

The thing you are crying about, stressing over, or overwhelmed about today may not even be something you think about tomorrow. There's A LOT of things I got stressed about for no reason. I don't even remember some of the things that were stressing me out, I just remember being so sooo super duper stressed. Don't worry about it because it probably won't even matter in a day, week, or month. Bottom line: don't sweat the small stuff.

7. No Regrets.

Senior year is the year that this one really hits. You start thinking did I do everything I could? Or maybe you think, no I coulda, woulda, shoulda done more. Well, only you can control the effort you put into each thing you do each day. Some days it's harder than others, I know, but when it is all over it feels good to look back and not have any regrets! Also, don't regret not trying something in high school... play the sport you have always wanted to play, join the club you have always wanted to join, or learn how to play the intstrument you have always wanted to play. Don't take your days for granted and always give it your all no matter what the case is.

8. Try Dating.

Some people might say, oh no I am not going to date in high school, I will just wait for college because relationships are stupid in high school. Of course don't force relationships, but when you talk to guys and learn what you like or don't like in them, you can see what you can live with in the future. It may not seem like it, but a lot of lessons can be learned through heartbreak. If you are lucky, you may even find a really great guy along the way:)

9. Cheer Loud.

It is so fun to be playing a sport and to feel the excitment from the crowd. Don't be that freshman in the back that never cheers. It is way cooler to be a freshman that cheers than one that thinks they are too cool for school, cuz reality check... you're not!!! Yes, I know you are in the way way wayyy back, but you can still be heard. You can only be in the student section for 4 years, so have fun while you are there! Be loud and proud to be a Warrior!

10. Dream Big.

No matter if it's in sports, school, music, or your future, DREAM BIG. Set your goals high and go after them. This will help you to keep from slacking and help you be the best you can be! High school is a great place to be able to fail, and then get back up and try again. Having a dream and a goal will help you to work hard everyday and to leave high school with no regrets. Even if you didn't reach your goal, hopefully you knew you gave it everything you had!

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Good luck Addie Brown, enjoy the ride!

~~Tay