Letter to my Grade 9 self

Dear Grade 9 Audrey,

Right now, it’s your Grade 12 self speaking to you, and I just want to tell you a few things.

I’m on the verge of graduating high school, and it’s been a long journey starting from where you are. You’re about to go through a lot, and as stressful as everything seems, it’s actually not even bad at all.

You don’t have to worry about anything academic until Grade 12. There are times where you’re gonna do really well in your classes, and there will be times where you’re gonna feel like the dumbest person in the room. That’s okay. You’re doing a lot better than most, and your grades aren’t the only thing that’s important in your life.

Focus on making the most of the little work you have, and enjoy spending time with your friends and watching as many movies and shows as you like.

Keep reading books. I don’t have the time to do it anymore, and I regret not doing it more when I was in your position.

Learn how to be okay with being by yourself. The friends you have will have other people with whom they’re closer with and there’s nothing you can do to change that. Be your own squad.

As scary as some of the people around you might seem right now, they’re actually pretty nice. Just mind your own business and don’t force any friendship.

Don’t chase boys.

Stop doing your homework in the living room and in the kitchen. Your spinal cord is suffering. Go up to your bedroom and work at your desk.

Stop going to bed so late. Finish your homework as soon as you get home.

Fix your eyebrows, they’re a mess. Don’t cut your hair short, keep it long, and stop picking at your acne.

Stop being lazy and find a job as soon as you can. Work on building your resume so you can get more work experience early on.

You don’t have to know exactly what it is you want to do in post-secondary, but do a little bit of exploring.

Enjoy high school as it is in this moment. I’m wishing I could go back in time because I didn’t fully realize how easy life was. Take care of yourself.

Love,

Grade 12 Audrey