100 Things I Wish I'd Known in High School | Teen Ink

100 Things I Wish I'd Known in High School

April 19, 2016
By ThatOneWritingGirl PLATINUM, Greenwood Village, Colorado
ThatOneWritingGirl PLATINUM, Greenwood Village, Colorado
21 articles 0 photos 41 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon.
Love Always. :)
When the tides of life turn against you and the current upsets your boat, don't waste time and tears on what might have been, just lie on your back and float.


1. Your first kiss isn’t a hot potato that you need to get rid of as soon as possible. It’s okay if it hasn’t happened yet.
2. He was your first love, not your only love. Better things (and people) have yet to come.
3. Your ideas matter. Speak up.
4. Eat the damn brownie.
5. It’s just hair. It’ll grow back. Cut it however you want.
6. Don’t judge other girls based on their clothes.
7. Don’t ever call them s***s or w****s, no matter what.
8. Don’t judge anyone for that matter. You have no idea what’s going on in their life.
9. Drive safe.
10. Drink, do drugs—do whatever you think you need to do, but be smart and safe about it.
11. Drugs and alcohol aren’t that great anyway.
12. There is life after high school.
13. You were beautiful before he told you.
14. Sleep and exercise. Take care of yourself.
15. Just do the homework.
16. Skipping class won’t make the problem go away.
17. He’s not worth your tears.
18. You have more to offer than your body.
19. Don’t dumb yourself down.
20. If a friendship is toxic, cut it out of your life. It’ll hurt now, but you’ll be thankful later.
21. Friends shouldn’t make you cry.
22. Spend time with your parents. Yes, even in public.
23. No pair of jeans is worth $300.
24. Save your money.
25. Wait and sleep on any decision you make after midnight.
26. Just say no. You own no one an explanation.
27. Don’t ever say something mean about someone online.
28. Try not to say mean things, period.
29. If you have a problem with someone, talk to them and no one else about it.
30. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
31. It’s a bad day, not a bad life.
32. Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the best you can.
33. Be honest, even if it hurts.
34. Stand up for yourself.
35. You’re allowed to make mistakes.
36. I don’t care what he says—use protection
37. Make decisions based on what’s best for you.
38. You can’t please everyone.
39. Don’t give up on your dreams. If you’re passionate about it, keep trying.
40. Do things you want to do, even if your friends won’t do it with you.
41. Smile more.
42. Laugh as much as you can.
43. Take lots of pictures. You’ll want to remember.
44. Date or no date, go to the dance.
45. Wear the damn lipstick.
46. Take out your headphones every once and awhile and pay attention to the world around you.
47. One bad test score won’t kill you. Neither will two.
48. You don’t have to be the best at everything.
49. It’s just acne. Everyone deals with it. Get over it.
50. Wear the outfit you want to wear.
51. You don’t look fat.
52. Friendships end. People change. It’s natural.
53. I promise he’s not as perfect as he seems.
54. If you know the answer, raise your hand.
55. Jealousy, in any regard, is a waste of your time and energy.
56. Spend time alone and learn how to enjoy your own company.
57. Keep a journal.
58. Be open-minded and accepting of all people.
59. When people show you who they are, believe them. The first time.
60. Accept that not everyone has your heart. Not everyone is going to care.
61. It’s okay if what you believe differs from what you were raised to believe.
62. No one else can tell you how to live your life. You have to figure out what feels right to you.
63. Never drink and drive. Just don’t.
64. Never let friends drink and drive.
65. Never get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
66. Accept compliments gracefully.
67. Get a job. It’ll feel good to make your own money and stand on your own two feet.
68. Tell people when you love them.
69. There’s already enough bullshit in the world. Don’t add to it.
70. Putting in effort isn’t “uncool”.
71. Never be ashamed of what you like or enjoy.
72. You don’t need to try to be different. Being you is enough.
73. You are enough.
74. Don’t let boys treat you poorly.
75. Demand respect.
76. Kill them with kindness.
77. I don’t care how cute he is or how badly you want him to like you—never do anything that makes you uncomfortable.
78. Be kinder to your mother. She’s doing the best she can.
79. Wear sunscreen—no fleeting tan is worth the long term damage.
80. Be brave.
81. Stop comparing yourself to others.
82. Everyone has insecurities that no one else sees.
83. Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, get out.
84. Let go of things you can’t control.
85. Accept that there are going to be a lot of things in your life that you can’t control.
86. It doesn’t matter how great he is or how much he seems to like you. He has a girlfriend. Walk away.
87. Be open to change.
88. Don’t take things lying down. Go down fighting.
89. Don’t let people walk all over you.
90. Give everything you do everything you’ve got.
91. Your talent doesn’t have an expiration date.
92. Life gives you what you need, not what you want.
93. No matter how nice he is, it’s okay if you don’t like him.
94. Don’t waste your time chasing after someone who doesn’t see you.
95. Religion is a personal thing. It’s okay to take time to figure out what you believe.
96. Never change yourself for a guy.
97. You’re more loved than you realize.
98. People are struggling with more than they let on—you’re not the only one having a hard time.
99. It’s okay to ask for help.
100. Not everything has a reason or an explanation. Not everything is going to make sense or turn out fairly. And that’s okay. That’s life, and you’re going to survive.



Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 0 comments.