1. It’s OK to sit alone. I mean, on a regular basis you should be reaching out, interacting, and getting to know people, but if your friends aren’t around every once in awhile, it’s OK to sit by yourself if you want. Be confident and comfortable, enjoy the time to think, and don’t feel like people are staring at you or feeling bad for you.
2. Follow your passion. What excites you? What is it that you can’t get enough of? Your “calling” in life doesn’t have to sound noble. You can make a difference in people’s lives and in your community and world whether you are a teacher or a janitor, a doctor or a hotel maid. Think of a massage therapist who gives up some free time to massage the tired feet of the homeless, or a manicurist who does the nails and spends time with elderly ladies who never get visited in the nursing home (examples from The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne).
3. It’s OK if you don’t have it all figured out yet. In fact, you don’t have it all figured out yet, so don’t tell yourself that you do. Life teaches you lessons, and you may have learned some already, but you haven’t learned them all.
4. Completion does not come from being “in love.” You don’t need a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s okay if you’ve never been on a date or had your first kiss. You need to be you, 100%. It takes time to heal from childhood and teenage emotional issues, and you shouldn’t seek that healing from being in love.
5. You are beautiful. You…yes, you. I don’t really care if all the guys in school think you’re hot, or if you get made fun of for your looks. What they say has no bearing on the fact that you are beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the Creator, and he made you so beautiful and good. Don’t seek attention for your beauty from others, but learn to love and accept every part of you.
6. Drama won’t stop after high school because some of the drama queens never learn how to interact and deal with people who are different from them. Get used to it, learn to handle differences and drama maturely, and try to surround yourself with people who seek peace.
7. Your mom is not 45 years “old.” She has 45 years of life experience and wisdom. Listen to her.
8. Silence is OK, too. Many adults don’t seem to feel comfortable with silence, either. But whether it’s a silence in conversation or some peaceful quiet time for reading or journaling, silence is okay. It’s not just okay, it’s really good for you to detach from the constant noise of our culture and accept silence.
9. The world does not revolve around me. I wouldn’t have said that I actually thought that in high school, but I sure acted like it sometimes. When my mom would pick me up after she worked a 14-hour shift at the hospital (because she was a single mom sending us to private school), all I could think about was how I had to wait an extra hour at school after sports practice. Many days, I was selfish and lazy, and I feel ashamed of my behavior when I look back on it now. Don’t live in a way that you’ll regret when you’re older.
10. Be yourself, not your friends’ idea of cool. There were a lot of times that I said things or acted a certain way because of my friends. My friends helped shape me, in good ways and bad, but I know that I didn’t always feel confident saying exactly what I wanted to say or what I thought because it might not be “cool.” Just be you…that’s who you’re best at being!
11. You have something in common with every person you meet, and there is something positive you can find to say about them…if you’re willing to look for it. It’s SO easy to point out the negatives in other people, but don’t fall into that habit! Look for at least one thing positive about everyone you meet and focus on that…and you will be very successful in your interactions with others throughout life.

What do YOU wish you had known in high school? If you’re in HS now, what advice would you give an incoming freshman?