As some of you know, I grew up in Saudi Arabia. It has only been awhile since my family and I moved back here in the Philippines. It’s sad to say but I had a hard time adjusting in my own country. The living standard, people, as well as their beliefs were different. It took me some time before I was able to adopt with my peers.

The two pictures attached above were the first pictures my friend took during the first quarter of the first semester of senior high school. If I would go back in time and be able to tell my past self the things that I should have known, I would… and those would be:

1. Don’t fight your battles alone. Fight with God.
2. Let go of the things that don’t make you happy. According to an unknown author, if it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.
3. Accept the things you cannot control and focus on the things that you can.
4. It’s okay not to be okay. It will pass.
5. Practice solitude. It has its way of making you realize things.
6. Trust time and process. Don’t think of questions you can’t answer right away. Life has its way of unfolding truth and opportunities.
7. Don’t always do your best. Do what is only necessary. Allocate your energy to the things you most prioritize. Choose your battles.
8. An organize and disciplined life requires repetition to attain success.
9. Learning is a continuous process. Don’t be afraid to admit the things you don’t know.
10. When socializing with different kinds of people, don’t forget your values as a person. Hold on to them and don’t lose yourself as you continue your journey.
11. Train your mind to be stronger than your emotions. Student life has its ways on flipping you up and down. Bend, but don’t break.
12. Winning is not everything. Losing opens doors to improvement. Improvement leads to opportunities.
13. Make your boundaries visible to other people. Learn to say no if you must.
14. People will push you to your limits. Regardless of the hurtful words, always choose to be kind.
15. Utilize every setback you encounter to prepare for a big comeback.
16. Take a stand.

“Be a free thinker and don’t accept everything you hear as truth. Be critical and evaluate what you believe in.” – Aristotle

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle

These were the things I should’ve known before diving into the depths of senior high school. No one told me about these, so I’m here telling them all to you.

Alpas, beloved!