Have you ever been in a situation where a friend or a classmate wanted you to do something that made you feel uncomfortable, confused, or that you thought was wrong?

These days, you are probably spending more time with your friends and peers and less time with your family. And as you and your peers grow increasingly independent, you are making more decisions on your own. Staying true to your own beliefs can sometimes be difficult.

To stay true to yourself, you must know yourself - well. Most of us pay more attention to what others are doing than to really knowing and understanding ourselves. Here's an exercise that can help you:

Take out a sheet of paper and draw four columns:

* What I love to do
* What is unique about me
* What I value
* What I have questions about

Think honestly and write down your thoughts under each column. Don't worry about what others would say about what you write.

Use this exercise to get to know yourself better. If you know what you love and value, it's easier to make decisions that honor those things about you. Seek answers to your questions from people and sources you respect.

Remember: Knowing yourself gives you the strength to remain strong under pressure, stay true to your values, and make the right personal choices.

"I feel peer pressure now about buying name brand clothes and specific CD's, but I just say 'I don't care' or 'it's not cool' or 'I really don't want it.' I don't let other people tell me what to do. But I think when I'm sixteen, I'll be dealing with issues like smoking and drugs. I'm pretty sure I'll be saying 'no' then too. I want to anyway, but I can't predict the future."

- Dana, 12