Trying to survive high-school is hard enough for the average teenager. Trying to survive high-school when there’s vampires, demons, werewolves and creepy men in suits lurking around every corner is just that much harder. But ‘90s icon Buffy Summers managed to graduate while slaying demons, raising a sister, closing a Hellmouth or two and saving the world in the process.

Backed up by her squad of Scoobies, Buffy taught us more than how to effectively stake a vamp — her trials and tribulations in both everyday life and the supernatural world gave us important life lessons in work ethic, self-care, dealing with pain, teamwork and much, much more. And every now and then, the Big Bad handed out a nugget of knowledge too — you don’t become a demonic overlord with good looks alone.

Quitting toxic relationships

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The importance of alternative communication

Delegating

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Being focused

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Fighting preconceptions

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Empathy and dealing with pain

There are always choices

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Sacrifice

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Asking for what you deserve

Being brave enough to love

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…and brave enough to be honest about it

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Celebrating achievements

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The benefits of an organized life

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Forgiveness

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The devastation and confusion of grief

Survivor does not equal victim

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Mistakes can be lessons

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Social conventions aren’t always healthy

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Calling out those who hurt others

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Being honest with yourself

Recognizing our limitations

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Learning to say no

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Time management

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Believing in yourself

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We’re all still cookie dough, so let’s take it one day at a time

Acknowledging the difficult moments in life…

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…but fighting through the pain

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Recognizing who your enemies are

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Seeing the big picture when times are tough

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Knowing your own power

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