17 Things You Need To Know In High School

For my sweet cousin (and everyone else) just starting out in high school:

1. Be friends with everyone. Don't stick to your one group of friends, float around. You'll have much more fun if you do!

2. Learn how to initiate friendships. In college making friends isn't that easy, most people aren't going to run to you on the quad wanting to be your best friend.

3. Be nice to everyone. Really, just do it. It's not going to kill you.

4. Listen to your friends about boys. They usually know what they're talking about, and they're looking out for your best interests.

5. It's ok if he's not "The One". You'll always remember your first love, but don't let it get you down. Your Prince Charming is out there somewhere.

6. Don't be boy crazy. It's fun to have a boyfriend, but you don't HAVE to have one. Seriously, don't be THAT girl with a different boy toy every month.

7. Hang out with your girl friends. You won't forget nights watching movies and eating ice cream with your girls.

8. BE INVOLVED. I seriously cannot stress this enough. Play a sport, join a club, be involved in student government… More is better, but don't overwork yourself. These activities will look great when you apply for a job, scholarships, and college.

9. Spend time with your family. They're the ones that will always be there for you, no matter what.

10. Your parents aren't your enemies. They actually know what they're talking about, and they're looking out for you. You'll be thankful for it, probably not right now, but eventually.

11. Be a good example. Someone is looking up to you, whether you know it or not. Set a good example for them.

12. MAKE GOOD GRADES. This is another thing that cannot stress enough! When you graduate high school with a scholarship to the college of your choice, you'll be thankful for all the time you spent studying. 

13. You're going to have the time of your life in college. People say that high school is "the best four years of your life." They're lying. High school is fun, but college is so much better.

14. Your high school friends might come and go, but don't be discouraged. The friends you meet in college will be the best friends you ever have.

15. Be yourself, don't let others get you down.

16. Don't compromise your beliefs, values, or ideals for someone else. If they require you to do so, you don't need them in your life anyways.

17. IT GETS BETTER, trust me! You may think your life sucks, but tomorrow is always a new day. Life goes on.

Love,

Someone who's been there, done that, and has the t-shirt to prove it.

College Girl!!

I'm officially moved into my dorm room! I might be just a tad bit biased, but I think my roommate and I have the cutest dorm room! We decided to go with a color pallet of aqua and coral, but added in a few extra colors too! We decided to get different bedspreads that reflected our own personality, but used taupe as a neutral color for our rug and curtains so it wouldn't be color overkill. (Even though our room came with a doo-doo green wall that we couldn't paint over, which we were not happy about.) Of course almost everything of mine is monogrammed, even my mini fridge! I was so pleased that we were able to make it feel like such a homey space, it definitely makes you feel a lot less homesick. I definitely recommend trying out your mattress pad BEFORE you move. Mine feels like a rock! I'm so glad that I'm only and hour away from home and my parents are bringing me a new one!
I had A LOT of stuff! My car had only clothes in it! (Quick packing tip: keep your clothes on hangers and just put trash bags over them, so they won't get wet or dirty, and get a tension-type rod that is made for a car and hang them all up. This keeps them from getting wrinkled. Also, the easiest way to transport them to your room is to leave them on the rod and just carry it like that. I also packed everything in either duffel bags or the plastic pull out drawers that I put underneath my bed. I didn't want to use boxes because I didn't want to have a bunch of stuff that I had to go throw in the dumpster. The duffel bags that I didn't keep with me, I just sent home with my parents.)

This is my side of the room, and my doo-doo green wall.

Where we put my desk and our fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. 

My roommate's side of the room.

Check back for more dorm tips!