It’s been four weeks since school started and every single day I’ve overheard sophomores talking and fretting about the same thing, over and over. You probably guessed it already. Teresian.

“What if my dress is too fancy? What if it isn’t nice enough? Where should I buy it? Do you think this will look good on me? Who are you going to Teresian with?” are a few things I’ve heard nonstop, and I’ll be honest, I get it. On top of all your school assignments, extracurriculars, work and sports, you want to make sure everything turns out great. You want the perfect experience.

So, why so competitive? Why so worried? I can’t understand why so many girls are anxious about boys, of all things.

Honestly, boys are the least of my worries. The hardest thing I’ve had to do is plan a date to shop for your dress with friends – especially when you’re going with four other sophomores – and then get it to work for everyone. So, even if I can’t dance and even if my dress didn’t cost $50, I’ll have just as much fun as the next girl.

If you’re going with a boy, I’m sure you’ll still have an amazing time.

I’ve never not gone to a dance without friends. Even though it sounds annoyingly cliché, it really is better to go with friends. Plus, going with my friends personally has developed better memories for me.

To be honest, my very first dance (6th grade) was just as stressful as any other. I thought I was missing out because I hadn’t picked a dress, and I hadn’t asked a boy. Wrong.

My best friend at the time came over and went shopping with me. We got matching masks and silly, cheap dresses. When we arrived, we danced to bad 2011 songs and ate pizza. When the dance was over, we went to Winstead’s. It was a great experience that I’m grateful to have.

I personally enjoy shopping the most when it comes to dances. I know. Stereotypically speaking, that’s such a girl thing to say, but I’m serious. It’s incredibly fun.

You parade around the changing room in your dress of choice. Your friends nod approvingly – hopefully – saying their “ooh la las”. You do the same for them. You get to laugh at the dresses that are over-sized or too small, the ones with the weird patterns or droopy fabrics. You flaunt in that perfect $12 dress you found alarmingly close to – maybe even part of – the kids section.

Those experiences alone are some of the best, and you haven’t even gone to the dance yet.