It's finally here... August of 2016. It feels like just yesterday you were that awkward freshman in high school who was always trying to be shy and blend in. Being a senior, I was always trying to get you out of your comfort zone and making you tag along with me places because that's what the upperclassmen did for me. I'd make you go to dinner and games with me, I took you everywhere just like you were my little sister. By the end of the year, I think you had learned that I didn't take no for an answer and had finally felt comfortable with being around me and my friends.

Of course college for me couldn't come soon enough but to you it probably felt like it came too quickly. I couldn't wait to get out and you wanted me to stay. I'm sorry that I left you behind and you couldn't just have went with me to college but you gotta do what you gotta do...

It's your turn now though. It's time for you to go to college and of course I'm back on top as the senior once again. There's so much I've been trying to tell you and prepare you for and I feel like it'll never be enough. From telling you the best way of getting your books to how to manage your time wisely to learning to relax and enjoy it, I will never be able to tell you enough. There are some things in life that you just have to figure out for yourself and these are one of those moments.

So here's the best and most important advice I can give you: own it. Walk in that first day knowing 1) you look great, 2) you're going to do great, 3) everyone's going to love you and 4) I'm always just a phone call away. College is all about confidence. It's going in and truly giving your best. You're going to get out of it what you put into it. It's knowing you're going to make new friends that are more like you than you'll ever realize. And it's finding out who you truly are. Make new friends, try new things (all legal and in good standing of course) and just be spontaneous. Take trips and join clubs you'd never think about joining just because.

College truly is about getting an education, finding yourself and making life long friends and memories. You'll have your ups and downs just like always but don't every forget that I'm always here when you need me. I love you and I'm so blessed to call you my "little sister."