When I began high school, I set a very high standard for myself. I joined a lot of clubs and overworked myself on a day-to-day basis. Although I am thankful to be so involved, it came with a price I’ve had to pay. I’m sure many people can relate to this, which is comparing ourselves to others.

Since kindergarten, we have always been told to “be yourself”, and “don’t let people change you”. To just do you and be YOU, because no one can do it better than you can. That was so hard to get through my thick skull; it was so hard for me to accept that.

I always felt like I never did enough, so I would do more. I was always worried about what people say about me behind my back or even what they thought of themselves. If I made a mistake, would everyone judge me? Would everyone think I was stupid? Would I lose my friends?

Daily, I would come home without a smile on my face because I was thinking about something that happened to me in the first hour. I was worried people would replay what I did in their heads and make fun of me. But did they? Probably not.

I am getting a little better at “not sweating the small stuff” because, in the end, it doesn’t really matter.

It doesn’t really matter where you go to college-well not necessarily because you did the work to get there, and all you’ve got to do next is graduate in four or more years and move on with life.

It doesn’t really matter that you got a D on your math test; we all have bad days, and we need to forget about them and focus on what’s next. What can I do to improve?

It’s like track; focus on your lane and your race. When it’s done, it’s done; it’s in the past, and there is no changing it.

So to all the juniors and anyone else reading this, it’s okay. Be you, and try not to stress. What’s in the past is in the past; focus on the present e or on what’s next. You’ll do better; everyone goes through these things, and you’re not alone. We are all just going through the same steps, and all you have to do is practice them.

And please remember, no one can judge you harder than yourself.