This is very true especially for younger folks still in school. It's understandable in the moment, the world is that box you're in, and the circles you are confined to swim in. So it's not to say that none of it matters, it's important and it's normal to want to succeed socially. But mistakes are fine, and sometimes you just lose by a streak of bad rolls of the die. Eventually the world opens up and those years matter less and less as you can chart your own path, choose your own circle, and be who you want to be without the constant reinforcement of your past self/selves via the social circle and school dynamics that put you in a box.

On top of that, for the youngins I'll add: Your parents, and the "olds" in general, were probably a lot more right about things that you'd care to admit. But in time, you will come around to that realisation. Once you grow as a person, experience things and learn about the world while remaining honest and humble.