Back to school

From here

It's almost September, and you know what that means! School days have arrived yet again! Or are about to. In light of the grand occasion, I thought I'd dole out some things I learned (and wished I learned!) back in the not-so-very-long-ago day, that could possibly help. I thought I'd start with the high school scene, then do a college/university post later on. Whether you're a newbie, somewhere in-between, or about to leave the coop kind of student, there are things everyone should probably get to know. It took me time to learn these things, but I did eventually, and here I am writing about it! Hopefully without the preachy or "we buh-lieve in yoooou!" cheesiness.

• People can surprise you. Just when you thought the most popular girl in school (do they still go by that?) was the snarkiest of them all, you stand behind her in the lunch line, start talking, and it turns out she's actually pretty nice. (Unless, of course, she actually is snarky.) Or even the punk kid, who you thought was, well, a punk. You never know,  they just may end up being your friend... Or your worst enemy. (Kidding.)

• Don't be afraid to shoot the breeze. I myself was "the quiet one" in the beginning (I kid you not), and often had a tough time getting to know people (and vice versa). So you whaddayado when you're feeling shy**, or at a loss for words when the situation arises? Start with a simple compliment. Then progress on the topic, and ask other simple, not too personal/creepy questions about them.  (People like talking about themselves.) 

• It's worth taking part in school activities; plays, sports, leadership stuff, whatever. That's what makes HS so fun and memorable! For me it was music, and being part of the school symphony (2nd violin, baby!). Had the best times in symphony, not to mention we played the best music. 

• Do your homework. Nuff' said. (If you think it's bad now, you haven't experienced college or university.)

• Get sleep. Lots of it. You need it!

• A positive attitude helps considerably.

• You just might surprise people. Just when people thought had labeled you correctly, BAM! Out of the blue comes something so unexpected, others can't help but be awed. Who said we had to fit into labels? Go beyond that! You have a lot more awesome in you than you think. 

• Ms. Frizzle said it: Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy! (And I don't mean those kind of chances, fool!) If anything, take a bold step out of your comfort zone and just go for it; you're not under the microscope as you may think. And if you make mistakes... You learn from them! End of story.

• You don't have to have it figured all out. Things will be confusing, but that's normal.

•  Express yourself as much as you can. It kind of goes along with the point above, but this is the time of your life where you are figuring out what you like and who you want to be. You're your own person! That being said, there's nothing wrong with going along with some stuff you're friends like and do, and it's not always easy to go against the norm. But what about the stuff you want to do? Sometimes you have to put aside what everyone else thinks and do your own thing. And most importantly....

• High school isn't the end of things. It is not! It is merely a passing phase in your young adult life where the learning process picks up pace (and where people get considerably more judgy). Whether it's been the best or worst damned years of your life yet (or if you have no idea because you're just starting), there's so much more beyond that. Many more opportunities for you to leave your mark elsewhere. Even afterwards, you'll continue to evolve, and you won't be the same person you were back then.  
  
  

From here

**I effin haaaate the term "coming out of the shell". Hate it with the passion of 10000000 burning suns. I will accept "opening up to others", but so help me if someone tells me or another to "come out my/your shell" I will friggin' kick them in steel toed boots. (We quieter people are NOT turtles dammit!)