If I Knew Then What I Know Now

We hear our parents say this worn out phrase anytime we ask them for help. But, have you ever stopped to really think about it? Think about what you now know about high school after you have graduated or what you know about Ap's or SAT's after you have taken them. Would you have attended every gym class or even every regular class for that matter? Would you have taken the SAT three times if you knew that 60 points higher wouldn't really make that big of a difference?  The answer is probably yes because when you were at that point in your life you weren't sure if skipping class was "okay" to do every once and a while or if you would get accepted to your dream school if you didn't get those 60 points! Looking back on my high school career, there are plenty of things I would do differently if I knew then what I know now. Here's just a few!

1. Don't Be Afraid to Bum It: When I was in high school I would always wake up super early to try and pick out a nice outfit, do my hair and put on makeup. This was such a waste of time. I had spent the last 8 or so years with these people and they couldn't care less what I looked like at school. I wish I would've slept later and cared less about my appearance.

2. Make Memories Not Enemies: Recently I had a falling out with one of my close friends but there is not one memory we made together that I regret! We had some great times throughout high school and just because we went our separate ways doesn't mean I won't enjoy looking back on those memories; they were the reasons I enjoyed high school!

3. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: I used to freak out every time I forgot to do my homework or failed a quiz. Now I realize how small those things were in the big picture! I would still get into college, my parents would still love me and my teacher would be more than understanding. No need to lose sleep over those tiny details.

4. AVOID DRAMA: *Most Important* I guarantee you that the second you throw your cap into the air on graduation day nobody is going to remember, or care about, the time Rachel was caught texting her best friends boyfriend. As soon as you sense drama back away, it can only hurt you! You don't want to be stuck in the middle of it, trust me.

One of my absolute favorite memories from high school. A night out mini golfing with two of my best friends, they have definitely taught me lessons that I will never forget. 

Have any advice for college girls like me? Feel free to share!

Gratitude...Or Lack There Of.

The amount of tragedy that fills this world is sickening, sometimes its hard to believe that there may be anything in this world to be happy about or grateful for. After I had suffered a couple of losses, I started questioning what all of this was really all about. Why are we here if eventually it all just ends? Why was I put here? In this body? In this life? Whats the point? With all of these questions running around in my head, I decided to try and answer them for myself so I could try and be happy again. Here's what I found!

1. Make the little things feel like they're the best things: I know this sounds dumb but embracing this one little tip can easily turn a terrible day into a not so bad one. I remember one day during my senior year I was having an awful day. I was stressing about applications for college, trying out for the school musical and the mounds of homework I had waiting for me at home. It sounds like your basic day of high school but once you start having weeks filled with these days it starts to get to you. Then, when I was just about to give up on college and everything else, one of my closest friends reached out to me and asked if everything was okay. To her it was just a simple question but to me it meant so much because of the day I was having. I said I was fine, like I always had, but suddenly I kind of believed it. After she left, I rembered how grateful I was to have her in my life and having a small reminder of that made everything seem less intimidating.

2. Find inspiration in someone or something: There's always someone or something worth appreciating, whether it be a song, family member or friend. Whatever it may be, make sure you surround yourself with that person or thing, I guarantee it will help you through what you're struggling with. Sometimes all you need to hear is the right song lyric or the right piece of advice or even meet the right person and that could change everything.

3. Have faith that things will get better: Everyone has been told this from time to time but I'm here to tell you that it is 100% true. I was told this constantly and every time I heard it I got more mad and believed it that much less. Now that I learned to embrace everything life has to offer, I couldn't agree more with the idea that things get better. It might take a lot of work to try and get out of the place you're in but if you fight your way out you will succeed and be a better and happier person because of it.

I know it's not easy but what I do know is that it's worth the fight. I hope these three little tips can help at least one person! Feel free to share your story in the comments, I'm all ears.