By Tate Johnson, TIWP Student

1. If your gut says something is wrong, it probably is, and even if it’s not, you won’t regret removing yourself from the situation.
   
2. Don’t talk shit about people. Remember your relationships change and the girl you and your friends hate right now could be one of your new BFFs in a couple of months.
   
3. Allow yourself to evolve. People will say “you’ve changed” as an insult but it’s not.
   
4. ROMANTICIZE THE LITTLE PARTS OF YOUR LIFE!
   
5. If you’re freaking out, think about what will still matter in three months, a year or five years from now.
   
6. Take mental health days if you need them. If you overwork, you won’t be able to get back on track.
   
7. Be self-aware; notice your self-destructive habits and actively counter them.
   
8. Stop comparing yourself. Everyone is growing at different rates. Embrace it!
   
9. Learn from your peers and use others’ example to figure out who you want to be.
   
10. Have an open mindset. You will be drastically changing for the rest of your life but especially now.
    
11. Don’t be so hard on yourself. One mistake doesn’t make you a bad person.
    
12. Find friends you love and that love you. Small and stable friendships are the base of every good high school experience.
    
13. Love and respect your parents but communicate if they’re being unfair.
    
14. This period in your life isn’t forever. Take advantage of the time you have and the people you’re surrounded with. Take risks and live in the moment.