Sophomores are fresh out of the scene when it comes to freshmen mistakes and regrets. Although arguably worse than your sixth grade regrets, they soon transform themselves into the funniest memories (i.e. when I face planted in front of the whole school on the stairs at a football game). For now, just stick to these rules:

1. Friends always come before relationships

Tested and learned from experience, freshman year will go a lot easier for you if you stick to that rule. Jessica Cox, a junior, reported, “In the wise words of Phoebe Buffay, ‘Boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go, but these friendships are for life.’” Happiness in high school sprouts itself in glorious, though minimal, moments free of stress and all in the comfort of your friends. Never ever give that up.

2. The front row of student sections are not for you.

We’ll get our turn. Seniors rule everything; let it happen. Don’t get me wrong, go to every football game no matter how annoying you feel around the upperclassmen. Jump to the cheers. Scream your team on. Dress in your team’s colors. Take pictures. Don’t stand in the front of the student section. Hartley Conforti stated, “Football games are great for socializing with friends and showing school spirit!” Along with Hartley, many upperclassmen state that getting involved and supporting football, basketball, swim, lacrosse, golf, tennis, band, and any other sport or club shapes your year! Absorb it. You only get so many freshmen year games.

3. Friends aren’t forever, but you should try

Middle school is for in-and-out phases of new friends. You’re in high school now and your friends deserve your effort more than anything. Your friends deserve breakfast dates and late night drives to Walmart. They deserve the ride home from school and jam sessions, random coffee runs and lots of food. They deserve support. The cool thing is, you’ll get it in return. It’s unlikely that you will have the same friends all four years of high school, but you should definitely try.

“Friends are important because without them you would have to go through the stress of school alone,” says Maddie McCluskey. Freshman year memories are something to be cherished.

4. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices

Keeping a social life and academic success is learning opportunity cost. Which is more important, an essay due at 11:59pm tonight or frozen yogurt? The answer is most likely frozen yogurt, and that’s perfectly okay.

5. You’re setting yourself up for the next 3 years

Ask anyone, this year is crucial. Mistakes you make will be forgiven but the way you represent yourself to the school won’t be forgotten. This is your year to make mistakes and figure out who you want to be and what kind of people you want to surround yourself with for the next three years. This is the year you will look back and either regret or appreciate, but most likely regret. Flow naturally with the people that make you happy and enjoy doing things you love; never worry about what you look like to other people because that was my biggest mistake.

Not everyone agrees with this list, people make their own. Just promise, no matter what, you’ll stop wearing tennis shoes with every outfit and mellow out the screaming a tiny bit, everyone will appreciate it.

Photo used with permission from Dan Olson.