1. Being “popular” in high school is not a goal you should have – it means absolutely nothing

2. Invite people to sit with you. It doesn’t matter who they are or if they say no, it’s the act of kindness that matters

3. Don’t complain about homework, it really is preparation for college

4. Stop obsessing over boys, there are more important things in life (like… everything)

5. Don’t lock yourself in your room, spend time with your family

6. Put the cell phone down for a while

7. Stop trying to be someone you think other people want you to be. Be yourself. The friends who stick around for that person, are the friends worth having

8. Be kind to everyone, even the people who may annoy you. You will both walk away better for it

9. Don’t lead people on

10. Be honest with yourself, be honest with your parents, teachers, coaches, and friends. Lying about anything should be out of the question

11. Whatever it is that feels like a big deal, you will have completely forgotten it this time next year. In the grand scheme of things, it just doesn’t matter

12. If they aren’t kind to other people, why are they getting so much of your time?

13. Character is easily seen in people by the way they act when they think no one is watching – words mean nothing, actions mean everything

14. Don’t fret what other people say. If they talk about you, let them. The more you dwell over it, the more they’ll see it bothers you and the longer they’ll spend doing it. Kill someone with kindness. You can control a situation without ever saying a word. Kindness should win, always.

15. Do not judge someone for being different. Gay, straight, blue hair, black nails, different clothes, it doesn’t matter. They are a person and they deserve to be treated with respect and kindness just the same as you do.

16. You can change someone’s day with a smile

17. Not only do you change someone’s day by choosing not to be kind, you change their life in a negative way. You can’t take back anything you choose to say, and people don’t forget what you say. Remember that

18. Leave people happier than you found them

19. If you see that someone is upset, lend an ear or a hug. Even just the offer can go a long way

20. Don’t assume anything. There are always two sides to a story

21. Your teachers don’t hate you, and they are doing way more for you than you can see. They go home thinking about how to better your life every day, and they do what they do because they want to make a difference in your life

22. Seriously, don’t have an attitude

23. Be humble

24. Study hard, always do your homework, and never be less than prepared

25. Being a cheerleader or football player doesn’t make you cooler than a band member or an academic club member, it just means you have different interests. Don’t treat anyone by what stereotypes you’ve seen or heard – they aren’t real and they aren’t important

26. If you’re cranky, don’t take it out on other people

27. Your parents are not trying to ruin your life. They’ve been through whatever you’re going through and much more, they’re genuinely trying to help you, even if it just feels like they’re just doing things to spite you. It’s hard to watch your kids make the same mistakes you’ve made, and even harder to watch your kids hurt. Truly, they just want to protect your heart

28. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to learn about photosynthesis or genetics or World War II, just pay attention. You’ll be smarter because of it.

29. You’ll never know how much the adults in your life are rooting for you

30. Have an open mind about everything. You can voice your own opinion without putting someone else’s down

31. You always, always have something to be thankful for

32. Don’t take everything so personally

33. Be a good friend

34. Don’t be in such a rush

35. Saying you’re grown up is a lot less productive than acting grown up. Your age doesn’t always match your maturity

36. Don’t make fun of people and don’t gossip about people. Just don’t do it. How awful does it feel when you hear people have been doing it about you?

37. Be real without ever being hurtful

38. Remember that everyone you meet has a different situation and a different history, and sometimes people who have the same history turned out differently. Accept them regardless of what their situation is or has been

39. When you leave high school, most things you did won’t matter. Two things that always will are how you treated people and your work ethic

40. You can start over anytime you choose to

41. You absolutely cannot control what other people think, but you can control how you act

42. Keep your promises and don’t make promises you can’t keep

43. Do the right things for the right reasons

44. Seriously, stop obsessing over boyfriends or girlfriends

45. Whatever decision you make, ask yourself first, “Will I be better off if I do this? Will someone else be better off if I do this?”

46. Stop giving social media all of your attention

47. Don’t wear so much makeup, don’t worry about perfect hair, and don’t worry about what brand of clothes you’re wearing. It just doesn’t matter. Know your priorities, and if these are your priorities, make new ones

48. Look at the bright side of everything. There is always a way to look at something with the glass half full

49. You are so important, you are so loved

50. High school ends. Make sure that what you do while you’re there makes a positive difference, and know that no matter what, life goes on. Life will always go on.

 

Written by: Ginny Reavis Thiele