Being the middle child among three girls growing up gave me the best of both worlds. I had my big sister to look up to as a role model. I had my little sister to take under my own wing and act as a role model for her. My older sister, Erin, taught me lessons that I would then teach our youngest sister, Katherine. We all learned from watching each other, and continue to learn as we share our stories and experiences with one another.

As we are older now, all at different stages in life, I want to seize the opportunity to provide some advice for my darling Katherine as she nears the start of her college career.

1. It's okay if you have a hard time adjusting at first

You are leaving home for the very first time to live on your own, without your parents, in a college dorm. You don't know anyone yet and you may feel a little lonely at first, but remember that everyone is in the same boat. Give it a little time and you will start to settle in and feel more at home.

2. Meet people

Go to school events, join clubs, go out and meet people! College makes it so easy to meet new people and the more you meet, the more likely you'll find ones that you like.

3. The first friends you make don't have to be your best friends

The first people you are going to meet will be your roommate(s) and the people on your floor, as well as in your classes. You may click with them right away or it may take some time. You will become friends with people who, later, you decide are not the friends you want to have. That's okay. It takes time to build friendships and the people you are friends with at the start of your first semester will probably be different from the ones you end the semester with. It could take one, two, three, maybe four semesters to find the right friends. But, you will find them and when you do, no matter how quick or slow you get there, it will be grand.

4. Have fun with your gen eds

As a freshman, you will probably be taking a lot of your general education requirement credits to get them out of the way. There are so many options as for what classes to take. Explore all of your options and take classes that interest you most! Be bold and take a class on something you're not sure you will like or not. You may find it to be one of your favorites!

5. Make the most of your time while you have it

Four years sounds like a long time, but trust me when I say it really does fly by! Go out and experience everything, and HAVE FUN. Have as much fun as you can, but don't forget to devote time to your studies as well!

6. Find your passion

You know you want to major in Psychology. As you begin to take classes geared toward that major, you will find out just how much you enjoy the subject. If you are passionate about it and love learning about the topic, then stick with it and live out your dream. If you find you aren't as interested in psychology as you thought you were, that's okay too. There are so many majors to choose from, so many different routes to take, and each one is just as good as the next. Pursue your passion.

7. It is natural to get homesick sometimes

Feeling homesick is inevitable, especially for us coming from such a close, loving family. Whenever I feel homesick, it always makes me feel better to talk on the phone with mom and dad, feeling as if home is right in front of me. Sometimes I cry, and that makes me feel better too. It's okay to cry sometimes when you get sad and are missing home. The feeling will come and go but never will it last for too long.

8. I am only a phone call away

Although we are miles apart, I am always a phone call away. I want you to always remember that I am you big sister and there is not a thing in the world I would not do for you. I love you dearly.