Sweet Sixteen

Day 25: A Letter to the 16 year old me. 

Sixteen is the year you have been waiting for since you knew that sixteen existed! Sixteen has excited you since you discovered My Sweet Sixteen on MTV with your little sister during your middle school years. Sixteen seemed like a magical year, and it was actually pretty great, but I want to give you some nuggets of wisdom to make your 16th year even better. 

• Driving is a blessing, but don't obsess over it. Most kids your age don't drive anyways. So relax. You'll fail your driver's test the first time, but you'll get over it. In fact, you'll get creative and develop a love for bike riding and and you'll even learn to ask people for help.
• COLLEGE is not everything. You'll start to feel the pressure junior year, and even more so senior year, but don't stress. You'll get through it, and your plans will change. I hate to say it, but all the work you put into applying to nine colleges and taking the ACT three times went down the drain, because you completely changed your mind during the spring of your senior year. Oh well! 
• Have some fun. You'll become a little bit of a workaholic during your last years of high school. Learn to live. Enjoy your weekends and enjoy your friends. 
• Don't be surprised if some guys like you. Don't be surprised if most guys don't. You don't need a guy, anyways. 
• Mentors are one of the greatest assets to your development, if not the greatest. Keep them close.
• Don't hold onto money so tightly. "Treat yo' self." And others. 
• Opportunities will come to you, but most of the time you'll have to search them out. Don't be afraid to make phone calls, send out emails, and TALK to people. Only good things will come from it. 
• Don't be afraid to speak up.