Dear seniors in high school,

I know what you're feeling right now. If I had to guess, senioritis is striking with a vengeance, and you're ready for that next stage in your life. Trust me: I remember all too well. It wasn't that long ago that I was in your shoes.

Maybe you know exactly where you're going next and just want to be there, or maybe you have no idea about any singular detail and just want everything to be figured out once and for all. Either way, you're probably spending a whole lot of time focusing on your future instead of life going on around you.

I'm not going to pretend like high school doesn't have its downs or like college isn't wonderful...but I wasn't prepared for how many downs college would have or that memories from my high school years really were wonderful.

I could write an entire novel about things I wish I had known my senior year, but here are 5:

1. Senioritis carries over to college if you don't nip it

Confession time: I'm not sure that actual studying ever occurred my senior year. I knew I could get by without it, so I just didn't. Well, surprise, surprise for me because senioritis transferred over to my first semester in college. Because I hadn't practiced self-discipline the previous year, I'm currently having to re-learn the skill. Do yourself a favor and practice that skill while the information you're learning is way easier.

2. What you learn in high school actually helps with what you learn in college.

I know I'm not the only person who told myself that what I was studying didn't matter because it had nothing to do with my degree. Problem #1: you're probably more likely to be struck by lightning than not change your degree. Problem #2: the core curriculum is made up of those basic classes you took in high school. Personal example: imagine how sad I was when we studied a work of literature in a Brit Lit class that we had studied back in high school, but I had decided not to read. Problem #3: Skills and knowledge all build on each other. Just pay attention in class, and study from time to time. You'll thank yourself later.

3. Believe it or not: you will miss practices.

I don't think anyone is actually a huge fan of practices. There were some days where they seemed to be the bane of my existence. Ironically, I can't tell you how much I miss them now. Take advantage of the opportunity to consistently work to get better at something you enjoy and to be part of a team. Of course you'll miss the games too, but some of the best or most memorable memories are made in practice.

4. You'll miss having classes with the same people.

While I loved all my classmates, I was always ready to meet more people and mix things up. Yet, when you're in a 100+ person class, you're going to miss those familiar whispers and exchanged glances with the friends you spent 4-15 years of your education with. Don't take them for granted.

5. The time to build a foundation for your faith and values is now.

You will be tested in college. A lot. And in different ways than ever before. Learn what you believe and why because you'll be questioned on it- both by others and even yourself. It's easy and tempting to want to push away going deeper in your faith until later, but for your sanity and joy, it's better to before you step foot on campus. You'd be surprised by the enormous extent of misery behind the scenes at college.

So high school seniors, take advantage of this final year you have. It's better to prepare yourself for what you'll face in the future than to enter that next stage like a chicken with its head cut off. And whether you realize it now or not, you're really going to miss your time in high school.