Dear High School Graduates,

Congratulations! You guys made it!

Now I know everyone jokes about how high school is the easiest years of your life, I personally do not agree. Being an adult is hard yes, but it's easy because it's YOUR journey. You can't really go wrong. Also, there's always your equally as confused peers to help you along the way. Oh yeah, mom's like to help too!

With that being said, I wanted to give you all some advice that I wish I had received. It's not about the "rest of your life" but about your final high school summer!

Believe me when I tell you nothing will ever be the same after August. Cherish it. Cherish every moment as possible. Make this summer all about making memories with your friends and family.

You may not necessarily lose your best friends from high school, but the friendship will change. You all are out there learning, growing, and changing without each other. When you all are reunited understand that that may leave your friendship feeling a little rocky.

With that being said. Make some memories to keep with you forever. Take that day trip down to the shore just because you can. Take a couple days off of work and go to that music festival you both have been dying to go to since you were a freshman. Pull as many all nighters as you can. Most importantly take pictures! You'll be able to show them off to your new college friends. Plus its nice to have them up on your walls. It makes it homey.

Friends are important but don't forget about your family! Try to remember the little things, especially if you're going to a college that is far from home. Memorize the sound of your little brother coming home or the pitter patter of your dog running to wake you up.

More importantly, spend TIME with them. Friends are great, but at the end of the day, when you come home for Christmas break, it's going to be them that you can't wait to see. Ask your mom to show you how she folds your clothes so well. Ask your dad the basics about cars, it'll come in handy, trust me! Have your brother show you how to play that new video game he keeps talking about.

They'll appreciate that time. Your family is full of the people who watched you grow up every single day. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Please believe me when I tell you they will miss you so much.

After your amazing summer of making memories, when your parents finally send you off to college, let your mom cry. Let your brothers hug you just a little tighter and a little longer. Let your friends obsess about how much fun we're all going to have and how they'll visit.

Most of all, let YOURSELF cry. Let YOURSELF hold on just a little longer and tighter. Don't forget it's okay to cry about leaving your dog, too. You let yourself cry as long as you need to. You let yourself hold on as long as you need to, then you wipe those tears, put a smile on your face and get ready to take on the best years of your life.

Sincerely,

Us College Students