Jake,
Here are some instructions for you. They should do a pretty good job covering you from 3rd grade to the present day. These will make your life infinitely easier.
3rd Grade: Open up more. I know starting the new school is scary, but the people in your class really are good people. Find that group of friends and stick with 'em. Eventually you'll be friends with all 17 in your class anyway. Don't take abuse from anyone. Also, at some point, you're going to get into a bit of trouble...nothing major, but you'll get through it and you'll learn a valuable lesson.
4th Grade: Keep doin' what you're doin' and work harder than you ever think you need to.
5th Grade: First day of class...your arm is broken. Go to the doctor. Keep your head down in Mr. Z's class. He may be tough and strict, but you're going to end up respecting him more than almost anybody else by the time you finish at BLS. Get out of the procrastination habit. Don't be bummed you made the C team...you're part of something special, both for you and the school. And for God's sake, stay away from those women....You don't need that crap yet.
6th-8th Grade: Same stuff as before...don't procrastinate, work hard, and stay out of trouble. Basketball is going to be a great experience; stick with it. D.C., too, will be amazing. Don't take sides, but be available to listen. You'll be glad you did.
9th Grade: Another new school and this one is HUGE. You won't make friends quickly, but the ones you do make will stick with you for a long time. Make sure to go to Sadies when she asks you. Won't be the best time of your life, but you'll learn TONS from it and the situation after it. Play basketball, this is CRITICAL to shape who you know. Stick with baseball too...you've played since 2nd grade and school ball is a lot of fun. When you can't get that guy in Shakopee out, throw the curve ball. Robbie won't know what's coming, it'll be hilarious, and it'll be a story to tell for years afterward. Take icing your arm and stretching VERY seriously in sports. Also, your leg is broken; go to the doctor. Finally, each of those girls you like (there's multiple), go for it. More lessons that you'll need later.
Summer after 9th Grade: Get that job. Won't be a ton of fun, but this too, is critical to your future. Summer won't be that fun overall, but things get better.
10th Grade: I won't lie, this will be the best year of your life that I've experienced. Don't write off the rich Montana douche, he plays in huge later. Don't bother with basketball unless you've been practicing a LOT. In November/December, you know who you really like...look inside and then ASK HER. Don't be hesitant because of previous discussions. This will be your last year of school baseball...take care of yourself so you can throw three or four years down the road. You'll miss it. When you take your driver's test, CHECK WHAT GEAR YOU'RE IN WHILE PARALLEL PARKING!
11th Grade: Not a lot of advice for this year. Keep working hard and not procrastinating (but you should still be in that habit from 4th grade, right? HA). When you start writing, keep with it. Cherish the time you have in Mr. L's English class. He's gone after this year. Go to prom. She'll be a big figure later in life as well.
Senior Year: Work hard but spend as much time with friends as humanly possible. St. Patty's day will be awesome, but you'll be scared for a day or two afterwards, and for a hilarious reason. Take your time deciding what you want to do and where to go to school. This is one time my advice might make a major change to the course of your life.
College: Take it easy on the drinking. You don't really like the bars that much anyway. Make friends and talk to people as much as possible. Work 10x harder than you think you need to. STUDY! Go to the hospital with her. It means a lot to her and her family. She'll want you to go to the concert...still don't know if I made the right decision, but it was a good concert. Breaking up will hurt, and you're still working through the after-effects. I'm sure it'll clear up soon enough.
General Advice: Start saving when you start working; you'll thank yourself. HURT will be huge for you...listen to them constantly. Keep in touch with your country music roots. Keep in touch with friends...many won't make the effort so you'll have to. Mom and Dad are right most of the time. When in doubt, trust them. Go for the girl. You'll learn something important with each and every one. Go to every dance you possibly can. No tobacco or drugs. Learn guitar and start with acoustic, NOT bass. Vikings still haven't won the Super Bowl and 1998 and 2000 will be brutal. Twins haven't won yet either, but Target Field is amazing. KG is gone from the 'Wolves, who are now one of the worst teams in the NBA. Breaking up or getting rejected always hurts, there's no way around it. It's still worth the time with that girl. No matter what,
don't give up. You can and will make it through. After all, I'm still around to write this, am I not?
-Me...or You in 2010
11/4/2010
© 2007-2010 Jacob Tauer
This information is not to be used in any form, online or off, without the express permission of the author
