A new study, suitably summarized by NPR: if you’re in the cool crowd earlier, that’ll fade and you’ll likely have drinking, drug, or relational problems as you exit college. Lesson: the kids that tormented you in middle school ultimately get theirs. Broader lesson: just be yourself (nearly impossible at age 13). And remember: your whole social world is basically structured like an onion anyway. Layers shed. Coolness and certain crowds are no doubt fleeting. It would be awesome if anyone had the ability to believe this in the moment, though.
If you’re super popular at 13, you probably won’t be at 22
