Reflections of a teenage Rising Junior

So here we are, and the end of the year has gone and past. There is so much that I can say right now. As I sit here and wrestle with what should be said, my mind is brought back to a post I read written by the adorable Paul, someone who was a guest speaker for one of the last GSA meetings. One of the things that I remember about him, other than his eloquent opinion on race and sexuality, and amazing yellow shorts, was a blog post he wrote after his school year ended. He ingeniously compiled all of the lessons he learned in a list, something that didn't even cross my mind. So thank you Paul, for your clever way to reflect on the year without having to write an essay on a blog. Inspired by his list, I have created my own in honor of the memorable year I have had:

Lessons Learned in Sophomore Year

1. It's in Freshman's DNA to think that they are better than the upperclassman, when it is obviously not true.
2. No matter how hard you try, there are just some things that you are not good at. (It took me a whole year to figure that out).
3. Homework not being collected means there will be a quiz on it the next day.
4. Some people just don't change.
5. Teachers are human beings.
6. It is possible to live without eating meant, especially if it's Indian food.
7. Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey are amazing.
8. Never assume anything you don't actually know.
9. Being angry at the world is a waste of time.
10. Don't wear a strapless dress on a first date when it's cold.
11. Love doesn't have to be complicated, it can be beautifully simple.
12. High school isn't always like a scene form Mean Girls.
13. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
14. High heels can be really comfortable.
15. If a guy doesn't call you, call him. Just don't get obsessive.
16. It's perfectly okay if you have no idea where you'll be in ten years.
17. Chicago is beautiful.
18. Ellen Greene's voice is glorious.
19. Guys do cry.
20. Demi Lovato is my idol.
21. Twinkies are really hard to find.
22. There is no such thing as getting tired of Spongebob.
23. Pandora becomes your best friend when you're too lazy to update your iPod.
24. Including Lady Gaga in your global essay is just unheard of.
25. There is such a thing as a dumb question.
26. Watching yourself on a huge screen is embarrassing for everyone.
27. Have a plan B.
28. Having to talk out your problems doesn't make you crazy.
29. Not writing about love in a song is excruciatingly hard.
30. Listen to your conscious-no scratch that- OBEY IT.
31. Gel demolishes your hair.
32. The only thing more delicious than twinkies are swiss rolls.
33. There's no other school that would fit me better than the one I'm in right now.