When I started high school, I remember being so stressed about juggling classes, hobbies, friends and all the “boxes” I needed to check off before graduation. I thought that by slipping up or not doing all the “high school things,” I would be set up for failure in the future. But I was wrong. 

If I could give some advice to underclassmen (especially those that feel this way), I would tell them three things.

First, no one has any clue what they’re doing. We are all doing our best and trying to make it work. No mistake is too big that you won’t come back from it. You will fail tests, forget assignments, be late, have breakdowns in the bathroom, hurt your friends, say the wrong thing and mess up. High school is when many people fall apart, including myself, but it is the best time to do so, because you have plenty of time and support to put yourself back together and try again. 

Second, don’t put yourself in a box. I won’t tell you to “be yourself” because that is part of why you are here. You have to find out who you are and what you like. Take a risk and try something different. I tried volleyball my freshman year and had so much fun, joined the musical as a sophomore and made lifelong friends, went to New York City to study fashion my junior year and found my future career, and I joined the rugby team as a senior looking to try something new. Who cares if you don’t know how to play a sport, sing or draw? You could love it and make lifelong connections with friends, coaches or teachers.

Third, my mom gave me this advice before high school: Everything feels like the beginning and end of the world and right when you think you have the hang of it, it’s over. She was right. Once it’s done and you can breathe, you realize you are alive, the world is still turning, those life-or-death moments become silly anecdotes, and ready or not, the next part of your life is starting. It takes forever but is also over before you know it. Don’t waste time being fake or waiting for something to change, because making memories with people that care about you is the best way to spend the freedom and time you have. 

Make mistakes, try something new, create memories and you will check all the boxes. Oh, and PLAY RUGBY!