“As a freshman, I knew very little about anything. I was a small fish in a very big pond.  However, over time, I found myself. Here are a few things I learned during my journey:

 

• The experience is what you make of it.  No one can make high school fun for you, so pick your friends and activities carefully.
  
  
• Whatever you do, do it for yourself. Build relationships and do things that you want. At the end of it all, you will be answering to yourself and no one else.
  
  
• Sex is not a sin. The sin is not protecting yourself during it.
  
  
• The next four years really do determine what happens to you afterwards. Take your education seriously and value the experience.” 
  
  —Kehinde Togun, 18

“Sex doesn’t have to be a goal, freshmen! I know several classmates that have dated for years without having sex. Having sex with the first person you meet isn’t all that special. As you may begin to feel a bond, he or she may begin to pull away from you. Sex should be an act of love between mature people. Take time to understand why waiting can be the best choice.” 
—Laureen Delance, 18

“Be true to yourself. High school is one of the most peer-pressure infested institutions. To avoid high-pressure situations—like trying pot or drinking—find friends who respect your choices. Friends who don’t judge you by the way you dress or how popular you are, but value your personality and character.

When it comes to relationships, make sure you know and trust the people before getting emotionally or sexually involved. If they don’t respect your boundaries, move on. It’s hard, but try not to fall into the “he/she is the only one for me” mind-set, because this will only hurt you. Always put your safety, peace of mind, and morals first.” 
—Joleen Rivera, 18

“Come to high school with a strong sense of self. You’ll have many decisions to make, ranging from whether to have sex to whether to join a sports team. It’s good to take advice from friends and adults that care about you, but keep clear in your mind what you feel is right.

Although dating may be important, it’s good to know how far you want to go in a relationship, regardless of how far your partner may want to go. Things can go smoothly when you know your boundaries.” 
—Andrea Lee, 15

“Don’t pressure yourself into anything you’re not ready for. Dating will come eventually, but when you’re ready, not when everyone else is ready. It’s OK to be without a boyfriend or girlfriend. Take the time to enjoy your friends. Make memories that will last a lifetime, because it will all be over before you know it.” 
—Loryn Cozzi, 18

“If you’re stereotyped as a dork, jock, loser, or prep, know that these are just labels. Labels are definitely not who you are or who you will become. In four years, you’ll be out in the world. All the people that made your life miserable will be gone and, hopefully, the ones that made it amazing and special will stay.” 
—Lalitha Chandrasekher, 17

“Don't spend time trying to get everyone to like you; take time to understand and love yourself. Once you develop solid self-respect, you can face the world with a confidence that draws others to you. People will see you for the independent, confident person you’ve become, and fulfilling relationships will naturally follow. You’ll be independent and self-sufficient. This will help you succeed throughout high school and the rest of your life.”  —Megan Esteves, 17 

“Even if all your friends are having sex, talking about sex, and trying to convince you to have sex—don’t succumb to the pressure! You’ll know when you’re ready, even though it may be at a different time and place than your friends.

Don’t ever date someone unless YOU want to—who cares what your friends want? They’re not the ones going out with that person! If you haven’t kissed a guy or girl yet, and you’re only 14, don’t worry. I know seniors who still haven’t kissed anyone.

Sex is some serious stuff. It doesn’t only have physical consequences (like STDs or unplanned pregnancy), but emotional ones, too.” 
—Maheshwari Mistry, 17

“Be yourself. You’re going to be so caught up in other people—what they think, say, and do—that sometimes it will be hard to remember what you want out of life. Be smart. Don’t let anyone else push you around. Above all, have fun. Life is short; don’t waste it being unhappy.” 
—Scott Doyle, 18

“Before freshman year, I was petrified that everyone in high school smoked, had sex, and drank on weekends. I was afraid of being looked down upon for not conforming. I was completely wrong. I have tons of friends who don’t do any of the above.

The best way to stay out of trouble is to be involved with lots of clubs, sports, musical groups, or other activities. If you stay busy, you’ll not only learn to budget your time, but you’ll begin to respect yourself more, and take on new endeavors.” 
—Christina C., 18

“Most guys are pressured to party, be built, have sex, and drink or do drugs. But these things shouldn’t be done if you’re not prepared for the repercussions. For girls, it’s important to stand your ground and be comfortable with who you are. You don’t have to look like a pop star to be noticed.

Peer pressure is one of the main reasons teens do anything. But peer pressure shouldn’t influence anyone. If I’d known these things prior to beginning high school, I would have avoided some bad experiences and made my journey a much smoother one.” 
—Kedar Mankad, 17

“Many freshmen think that it’s important to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s not. You can have a lot of fun just hanging out with friends. If you do have a boyfriend or girlfriend, that’s great. But you should make your own decisions about the relationship and not be influenced by other people. Freshman year is not as stressful as many people think. Go into it with an open mind and make the best of it.” 
—Emily Chaloner, 16

“To avoid peer pressure, I dove deeply into schoolwork and after-school activities, and it worked. In the fall, I’m going to the nation’s top university as a happy, healthy, and safe teen—ready to enjoy my college experience to the fullest. 

Remember, you do NOT have to experience everything in life during high school. When you delay activities, it makes their climax much more enjoyable. I spent a large part of my high school years whining about ’missing out,’ and worrying that I wouldn’t know enough about certain social topics to ever ’do it up right.’ I was wrong.”
—Sarah Otner, 18

“When you’re upset about something, step back and assess its importance. So many times I would freak about a bad quiz grade or missing the week’s big party. I learned to take a different perspective and ask myself, ’Will it really matter a week from now? A month? A year?’ This really reduced my anxiety and helped me focus on the more important battles in life.” 
—Elizabeth Marchetta, 18