If you asked high school graduates about what they would do differently if they could do it all again, you might be surprised by their responses. Plenty of people out there consider high school to be the best years of their lives. Many other people wouldn’t go back to high school if you paid them. Whether they loved it or hated it, former high school students have learned a lot. This information can be particularly useful for current highs school students like you.  Here are a few pieces of advice from high school graduates that will make your life a little easier in high school.

1.     Just Be You

There are so many pressures in high school to fit in. Everyone wants to find the group they mesh with the best and sometimes we define ourselves by who we hang out with. But don’t be afraid to be yourself while you’re in high school. After high school, you won’t see the cliques and groups you see each day in the school cafeteria. It’ll be an easier transition if you start now. Find out what things you like and what your interests and hobbies are. We guarantee that you’ll find people with similar interests, and you’ll feel more comfortable being your authentic self.

2.     Hang Out With Your Family

It’s good to have friends and to spend time with them, but don’t forget about your family. After high school, you won’t stay in contact with most of your fellow students, but you will always have your family. As you learn to create relationships with others, don’t forget to develop relationships with your family; you’ll appreciate them as you go throughout your life. After all, they’ll be the people that will be part of your life no matter what.

3.     Get Involved

High school is a great time to get involved with groups, clubs, and organizations. There are so many opportunities to find what you’re interested in, so don’t hold back. Life in high school isn’t just about grades and GPAs.  Join the poetry club, and if it turns out you hate it, no problem! Join a sport! Keep trying new things until you find what you like. Even if you never find something you truly love, you’ll have eliminated some options. When you get to college, you will have even more choices and by then you’ll be a pro at joining clubs and meeting people.

4.     Don’t Be a Bully

One thing that people regret about high school is how they treated others. Bullying others, even if you think it’s harmless, can leave lasting marks on people. Bullying says more about the bully than it does about the person being bullied, so make sure you’re sending the right message. It’s much better to be remembered after high school as someone who got along with everyone than it is to be remembered as a bully that picked on others.

5.     Ignore the Drama

All the drama in high school seems important at the time and it’s easy to let it run your life. But just remember: the drama that starts in high school usually ends in high school. Everyone goes their separate ways and moves on to bigger and better things. Rumors and secrets may hurt in the moment, but do your best to not get involved. All of that will end soon.

Concluding Thoughts

High school is a crucial time in your life for personal growth and relationship building. While you take this time to prepare yourself for the future, don’t forget that high school is such a short time when compared to the rest of your life. Have fun, do your best, and treat others well, and you’ll find that you are more than prepared to succeed in your adult life.