Dear Freshman Me

You spent a long time in middle school, elementary school even, dreaming of the days where you'd walk into school and boys would through flowers and their hearts at you. You dreamed of good grades, school spirit and involvement.

Then you actually went to high school.

Dear Freshman me, First of all I wish you had known to have no expectations. 

Nothing hurts worse than disappointment. And my friend, high school is full of it. I'm actually pretty sure disappointment is a synonym for high school. 

You're not going to walk in and have a boy sweep you off your feet. You're not going to walk in the doors your first day and have all your zits and braces magically disappear. You're not going to walk in and have the world handed to you. Sorry hun.

Dear Freshman me, Guard your heart.

Heartbreak comes in more forms than a boy. Your heart's gonna break over The Outsiders when Johnny dies. Your heart's gonna break when your best friend goes on a date with your crush. Your heart's gonna break when you don't make the team you wanted. Your heart's gonna break when your friend from elementary school goes down the wrong path, and all you can do is watch them make bad decision after bad decision. Prepare yourself.

Dear Freshman me, Grades matter.

You're lazy. Spoiler alert, you're still lazy. Just not as bad. Homework is dumb, and is still dumb, but cheaper college tuition and scholarships are not. You stuck it to the man, yes you showed them that you're more than a grade. Now try telling your college admissions office that. 

Dear Freshman me, It's okay not to be okay.

You're gonna get sad, you're gonna get sick, you're gonna get angry. That's okay, you're human. All freshman forget that at some point and time. Give it some time, and everyone else will realize it too. You're gonna have a bad hair day, and you're gonna trip on the stairs. Everyone has them. You can cry, too. Freshman forget that sometimes. Just because you're in high school now doesn't mean you have to be an adult. You're going to want to look like poop somedays. Although every other freshman is wearing dresses and heels every day, look at the seniors. It's a good day if they're wearing jeans. If someone judges you for your outfit choice, 1. they're dumb and materialistic, 2. tell them you're senior friends picked it our for you. 

Dear Freshman me, Quality time is important. 

It's really annoying that your mom has to drive you everywhere, but in the end you'll miss it. Whether it's because you hate walking from the parking lot to the front door for school, or being able to talk to your mom whenever. 

Dear Freshman me, You're gonna fall in love.

You're gonna fall for boys. A lot actually. You're gonna wish you'd never met, but you're gonna be grateful later for the lessons you've learned. You're going to think they're the ones. But they're not.  Spoiler alert, you're not going to marry him. Or him. Not him either. I'll let you know later if you ever do actually marry him. 

Dear Freshman me, God's always there. 

You're gonna feel abandoned. But then step back, and try to evaluate the situation. Who's not keeping up their end of the bargain, you or God? That's what I thought. 

Dear Freshman me, Dances are not the only important things in life.

You're going to freak out about your freshman formal. That's cool, that's cute. But keep in mind its not your only dance. You're going to get a thousand dresses, and somehow you pick the ugliest one to wear.

Dear Freshman me, You're going to change.
Your hair's gonna change. A lot. Your style gonna change. Thank goodness. Your music's gonna change. Another positive. Your friends are gonna change. That's good, but a hard lesson. Your morals and standards are gonna change. For the better or for the worse. You're gonna do things and laugh because 8th grade you said you would never do that. Whether its like a boy who isn't what you expected, or you wear your hair up three times in one week. 

Dear Freshman me, Plans get broken. 

You have to bail sometimes, so do others. Don't take it too personal. But don't let people walk over you. Be wise. Also, life is confusing and hard. Get used to it. 

Dear Freshman me, braces don't last forever.

Thank the lord. And in the end, you're glad you had them, right?

Dear Freshman me, Don't judge people for the things they've done in past.  

Forgive them. You did dumb things your freshman year. You wouldn't want people to hold those against you, would you?

Dear Freshman me, Not all friends stick around.
But it's sure awesome when they do. 

Dear Freshman me, high school isn't life.
Don't worry about it too much. Four years to help you grow, not your entire life.

Dear Freshman me, don't be scared, be yourself.
You're going to get hurt, but you're going to learn.

Dear Freshman me, High school isn't that bad.
You're going to meet people you love and you hate. You're going to learn lessons the easy way and the hard way. You're going to gain situations to help you grow into an adult and memories that will always keep you young. Just keep your head up and your heart right. When in doubt, pray and drink water. Those things usually help with everything.

God Bless,
Kasia.