When I was a new freshman,  jumping at shadows and trying to sink through the bottom of my chair in the back of the room, there was a senior who pulled me aside and taught me a few things that made a lot of difference in how I approached being in high school.

Now that I am the educated senior, I can see how true the things she told me are, plus there are a few things I’ve learned myself during the past four years. So, in the spirit of helping the new kids out there, here’s my list of Four Things I Wish I’d Known In High School.

1. Be part of the solution

It’s easy to complain about how bad the morning announcements stink, but they’re always going to stink unless someone gets up and changes them. And there are a lot of perks to being involved in student government and other clubs and organizations, so give it a try. Leadership positions look great on scholarships and it’s a wonderful way to make new friends. Not to mention, these activities are very enjoyable.

2. Avoid trauma-drama

Unless you’re involved in the theater club and you’re talking about the newest play the group is putting on, it’s just easiest for everyone to avoid drama like the plague. Really, being ornery with someone or a group of people gets everyone nowhere but too deep into a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Just be nice — even if others are rude first. Walk away. Don’t look back. Leave them alone.

3. Challenge yourself as often as you can

When the school counselors say it the day everyone is signing up for next year’s classes, it just seems like one of those things adults say to teenagers. But really, the classes that are the hardest classes are the ones that make you grow the most! The hard academics prepare students for college; also, the more difficult social situations or a group of unfamiliar people can improve conversation skills and provide the path to new friendships.

4. Decide to make the most of things

We’ve all been to those school dances where the person that brought you is not, by any means, the person you wanted to bring you, your clothes aren’t what you’d hoped them to be, and there is a serious lack of dancing skills on everyone’s part. Something I didn’t realize till it was far too late is that none of that matters! If a good time is wanted, those outside factors aren’t important. Just cut loose and be yourself and everything else will fall into place.

What did you wish you knew about high school?

“I wish I knew how fast it truly goes by and how much it really matters,” Senior Maddie Nordehook said.

“I wish I could go back to freshman year and tell myself not to care what other people think of me,” Senior Maria Welsh said.

“I wish I would have known that people are going to think what they want to think and that there’s no point in trying to change their mind,” Senior Adam Pelfrey said.

“I wish I would have known that high school actually matters and that it will really prepare you for college,” Senior Mickey Brown said.