As you start this new journey, you leave an old one behind and that may seem scary. These new experiences are going to teach you more than you can even imagine. High school is not the best four years of your life, or maybe it was because everyone's experience is different. Those differences are even more during your college years. You may not have the best four or more years of your life, but it is what you make it.

You have looked up to the people older than you for so long, and now it is your turn. The year has come to where you will step on to a college campus and call it home for four or more years. This is the city or town you will come to love like you have known it forever. The road to another diploma won't be easy, but it will be earned from hours of crying to semesters of success.

I want to share some tips with you as you start your college journey.

1. Always be kind to those around you.

You never know what some else is going through so don't be rude, be kind! If someone looks down, make sure they are okay or just tired. Most college kids are always tired or crying over class assignments, be there for your friends and strangers alike.

2. Dinning dollars are very important!! Do not take them for granted and spend all of it the first two months of the semester.

Food is important. Manage your money with care!

3. "Freshman 15" is real.

It is gonna happen...no matter how many stairs there are on campus.

4. Do NOT fly by the seat of your pants in your classes, it will catch up to you!

Don't wing it! Study. Please study. Study so you can be a little bit sane during finals week.

5. Believe in yourself!

You will always be your toughest critic, but don't forget that you are capable of anything and everything. Don't forget to be your own biggest fan, it is okay to be proud of your success. Earn your success, never half do it.

6. Call your family more than once a month, visit them more than once a semester.

Your family loves you and the change is as hard for them as it is for you. Share your new experiences with them.

7. Don't be worried if you lose friends, it happens as you get older. Keep moving forward and it will all be okay.

As you get older, friends come and go, but I promise it will be okay. You don't have to forget them, but live in the now and not the past.

8. It is okay to miss high school stuff....change is like a slap in the face.

When you start college, you will miss those old memories in high school and it is okay! Change is hard, it takes time to get use to it.

9. Join in on campus, get involved.

College clubs are a great way to make friends in college and be connected to campus events.

10. Having a roommate can be hard....but it will be okay.

Check out my roommate tips, and have a great Freshman year experiencing dorm life!!

11. Enjoy all of it!

It may seem scary at first, but it will totally be worth it in the end.

12. Don't let the stress get to you!

Stress is terrible at any part in your life, but don't let it consume you. Remember to breathe!

13. It is okay to be single in college.

Personally, I don't think college is about finding your "soulmate" or even a boyfriend/girlfriend. I believe college is about becoming who you want to be, learning about academics and life. Enjoy college and the rest will fall into place when it is suppose to. Finding love before, during, or after college is possible - you are not awful for staying single in college!

I know you will do great! If you ever need anything, I will always be here for you.