One thing my father beat into my head from the time I was a little girl - and it sticks with me to this day - GUILT BY ASSOCIATION. It does not matter if you're hanging out with your friends and they're drinking or doing drugs and you're not - you're with them and you will get in trouble for it too. It doesn't matter if your friends are the ones who stole the car and came to pick you up for a joyride. You get in it, you'll be in trouble too.

Don't hang out with people that are going to put you into situations like that. Sure, those are extreme possibilities but even on a lesser level - you'll still get in trouble if it's something you're not supposed to be doing, even if you're not and they are.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!!! I loved high school and still miss some aspects of it to this day. It's where I began dating and fell in love with my now-husband. It's where I was into a whole bunch of stuff - band, theatre, clubs, etc. ENJOY YOURSELF - it truly can be the best time of your life if you play your cards right... why? How? Because the more you gain your parents trust (and keep it), the more freedom you will get - yet you don't have to deal with the stress of money and bills and everything that awaits you in the real world.

Have fun!