Dear high school freshman,
Take a deep breath, and let it all out. I know there are so many emotions going through your brain right now. Some excitement, a bit of anxiety, and perhaps a whole lot of nausea! You my friend are not alone! In fact I know you are not, because you are not the only one walking into high school for the first time.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
Take the pressure off of yourself to know everything and where everything is; to have all your friends on the first day of school and look 100% put together while doing so. Girl there is no pressure except the pressure you put onto yourself. Take a deep breath and exhale all those impossible expectations you or others have put on you.
High school can be lots of fun! Don’t wish this time away, it is a special time in your life to grow your interests and passions, your friendships with friends and family, and your relationship with God. So grow girl! In every way you can think of. Get messy. Get inspired. Get passionate. Dream BIG dreams that are impossible unless God shows up!
This is not the beginning of the end of your life. For some reason many people think high school is the last fun thing and after you graduate you enter “real life,” this is NOT TRUE! This friend, is just the BEGINNING! So don’t worry if you mess up, or don’t have it all figured out, most of us don’t, and that is OKAY! Again, take the pressure off of yourself.
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5 (NLT)
Here are some of the best tips compiled by some of my favourite people and myself, who have walked through the craziness of high school:
Take off the pressure! The pressure from others you see on snap chat and instagram, your mom or dad, your siblings, or your friends, that you have placed on yourself. You are not here to please others and fulfill their expectations, in fact you can be freed from that! Because as a daughter of the King you are secure. There is nothing more or nothing less you can do. You are enough! Exactly as you are at this very moment.
Make good friends. Spend your time with people who you admire and bring out the best in you. Remember this is a time to grow, so if you want to grow don’t surround yourself with people that will “suffocate” you or “drown” our your light.
Spend time with your family! While friends are so important please do not neglect your family. Hang out with them, even if its just your mom! Put the phone down and really engage with them. You will not regret spending meaningful time with family!
A great way to avoid drama is to not follow the crowd. Just be who YOU are and don’t worry about what everyone else thinks. Don’t try to impress people or be someone your not. God made you exactly how you are supposed to be and so individually unique which is such a good thing!
It’s okay to like boys and date, but don’t let it consume you. Focus on where you’re heading and if a boy can keep up with you then that’s awesome! But if not, there will be other boys, so don’t worry.
Go to youth! Myself and these ladies can attest to the significant influence youth groups had on our lives. It’s so important to have Christian friends/community in these years, since its so easy to be influenced by the wrong crowds. To have a safe place to come and share the good, the bad and ugly with like minded Christians was one of the best parts about high school.
Work hard because it will pay off! You don’t have to be the smartest person in the class, just do your best!
Enjoy it, but it’s not the be all end all. There’s so much good stuff that happens in high school and also so much good that happens after it too! So much good stuff to look forward to overall!! You don’t have to know what you wanna do with your life even though it seems like everyone else does.
Seek God first! Remember this is a time for growing so dive head first into Christ. Pursue Him with all you got and you will be amazed at how He shows up and reveals his desires for you.
Girl, there is abundance in this next season for you, I can see it! God’s desire for you is that you do not miss it. Don’t miss out on the abundance He has for you. He is so proud of you and wants to love on you. Will you let Him? He wants to show up in your life, in the mundane, in the hallways of your high school and give you life abundantly.
You are so ready for this!
Let’s Go!
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
Contributors: Jacqueline & Raquel Tonn, Eden Evans, Devyn Ritz, Daysha Albrecht
Photography: Etoroma Creative
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