Dear freshman Melissa,

As much as I'd like to advise you on the big things (like the fact that you are definitely going to get into a college even if you get a B, so please stop worrying), I have to say that you’re going to do a pretty good job of figuring things out yourself in these next four years. In fact, aside from the little things, you're going to look back on your high school experience with absolutely no regrets. So, it's the little things I will focus on telling you about right now, because let's face it: that post-middle-school hairstyle and strong aversion to makeup really aren’t going to bode well for you.

First of all, being late on your first day isn't a good idea, especially when you've promised your also nervous freshman friends that you'll meet them before class. But you're going to look back at that and laugh, even if you won’t be laughing when it happens. In fact, it’s probably smart to always set your clock ahead five minutes, since you’re usually late to things.  

And, freshman Melissa, please get bangs. It’s a decision you won’t regret, and you’ll feel much more confident with that hairstyle. Also, sometimes eyeliner and lip-gloss isn’t a bad thing (and by the time you’re a senior, your favorite pastime will be watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, and attempting them as well.)

Over the next couple of years, you’ll grow into your awkwardness, and even learn to love the fact that sometimes you may get a little too loud, a little too excited or a little to passionate about certain things.

Your love for things like Disney is going to get even stronger (you probably thought it couldn’t, but you're wrong), and so naturally one of your favorite moments will be getting the chance to perform for children as Princess Anna. You don’t know this movie right now, but it will be a huge hit when it’s released. And don’t be embarrassed if you are just as excited (if not more) as the little girls who asked if you could sing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" because we both can’t deny that our dream has always been to be a princess.

You’re going to find your niche in many things, and even though this year it seems like you can’t find yourself, by senior year you’re going to be confident in the person you are. The Journalism Room will become your home on campus. Even though the first deadline night sophomore year is going to leave you flustered beyond belief, those long nights with way too many picas and way too much layout (I’m sorry to say you never really get better at it) will end up being some of your favorites.

And here comes the cheesy part: No matter what you do, everything is going to turn out fine. Every single decision you will make in high school, ranging from which prom dress you choose, to changing parts of your life you aren’t happy with and figuring out who your true friends are, will all be for the best.  

There isn’t going to be a single decision (besides maybe the times you watch Netflix until 3 in the morning) that you regret. So, I suppose that’s my final word of advice: Do what you think is right, and make the decisions you're most confident in, because in the end, everything will have turned out exactly the way you wanted it to.