Although I spent ages scouring the internet for a checklist of what to do this summer (and asked my friends in college), I was never able to find a clear answer. I was nervous about getting through summer without any sort of guide for what to do, but I did it, and learned a lot in the process.
1. You won't get a perfect goodbye with everyone from high school, and that's OK.
We all have people that we didn't quite get closure with or didn't really have a good ending/last goodbye. I am always bothered by things not ending the way I think they should, but after graduation I really stopped caring about it. Life doesn't always have perfect endings. There are just so many other people and it seems like a waste of time to be upset about not having a proper goodbye or friendship ending with someone. I promise it will not matter once you get closer to college, because you'll focus on all the new friends you're making.
2. There's never going to be a convenient time to leave home, but you can't put your dreams on hold because the time is wrong.
There will always be drama happening in your family. Can you think of a time in your life when something big wasn't happening? I can't. Initially, I felt guilty about leaving for college because there is so much going on with my family. I delayed picking a school and considered community college because I thought it was a bad time for me to move out. With my sister entering sports this fall, there won't be anyone to take care of our dogs after school. My mom has a busy job as a copy editor and it's going to be harder to keep the house together with one less person doing chores. I've realized that there are always problems in my family and there won't ever be a better time to move out. The timing will never be right, but your education and dreams cannot be put on hold for this.
3. The friends you have at the end of senior year probably won't talk to you after graduation.
It's a hard fact to face, but it's true. Out of all of my friends who signed my yearbook (which was completely filled), I have talked to less than 10 of them. I have seen exactly three of them over the summer, and there are so many people that I just stopped talking to. It was completely heartbreaking at first, because I had so many great friends and I loved all of them. I hated that we lost touch with each other. I've realized now, at the end of the summer, that it is OK and natural for high school friendships to end. Most of those people were your friends because you saw each other often, and now that you don't see each other anymore, you won't talk. It's OK because you are going to make so many new friends in college. I have already been talking to people from my college all summer and I've made a few friends. That helps me accept that I won't be friends with certain people from high school anymore.
4. When you do see your high school friends again, they won't be the same.
When you find yourself seeing high school friends at the end of the summer, as I did, you will realize that everyone grew up a lot over the summer. Of course your best friend and your close friends will remain relatively the same, but everyone else will seem very different to you. After two months of not talking, they changed a lot. Everyone is ready for college and it's nice to see each other one last time, but everyone is really preparing to build their own life. People changed over the summer, but look at yourself and realize that you changed too.
5. There is so much to do, and not enough time for everything.
Don't get overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do. This was one reason that I struggled with getting things done early. I planned a road trip with one of my friends, a Kings Dominion trip with another and lots of movie nights and sleepovers. None of these ever happened over the summer. When you're making plans, be realistic about what you want - I wasn't and ended up doing almost nothing with my friends.
6. Your roommate might not be your best friend, but that is OK.
I know some people who are already having conflicts with their roommate, and they haven't even moved in yet. A lot of movies, TV shows and books show the main character becoming best friends with their roommate - but that doesn't always happen in real life. The main thing is that you can have relatively the same sleeping schedule and cleaning habits, because those are what make or break your relationship. Your roommate does not have to be your best friend, they just have to be someone you can live with.
7. There are much better things (and people) waiting for you in college.
If you picked a school that you truly love, and a school that fits your personality, you will have the time of your life in college. Most of your high school friendships and experiences won't matter, because you'll have better times in college. You'll make lifelong friends who have the same goals and mindset as you do. My school has a school wide sisterhood like no other, and I know that I made the right choice and will make friends that last forever.
8. Your family will miss you more than you or they initially expect.
My mom and the rest of my family spent all of my senior year proud of me and excited for me to go to college. When summer hit, so did the realization that I was moving four hours away - and it really took a toll on everyone. Now, just a week shy of move-in day, there is a solemn air around the house. It just hit me recently how much I will truly miss my family when I'm away, and it just hit them too.
9. No matter how uncommon your interest is, you will find someone who shares your interest at college.
My more common interests, such as Harry Potter, were met with enthusiasm. I was nervous about finding people with my less common interests, such as One Direction and musical theatre, but I've already found a small group of people who are interested in both. No matter your interest, I promise there is someone at college who will enjoy it with you. This is how you'll meet some of your best and lifelong friends.
10. You need to start preparing early, seriously.
If you are anything like me, you waited until the last minute to start preparing for college. You're frantically packing your room and going shopping and it's all exhausting. Seriously, I move in next weekend - and I'm not packed or finished with shopping. Start early and you will have a much easier time over the summer. I made the mistake of waiting until August to begin, but a lot of college sales start in July. So watch out and get ready early to avoid the last-minute scramble!
