Dear high school senior,

Congratulations! You are finally at the tail end of what seemed to be the longest four year journey of your entire life. Graduation is just within reach, and you know that for a fact because you probably have a countdown set on your phone. You've finished the SAT and the ACT, you've written all those college application essays, and chances are you are probably just waiting on those last few schools to give you the ticket to the next step in life. At this point, the only thing you're thinking about is graduation, summer, and how in less than a year, you'll be packing your bags and heading to your new home. As someone who went through the same thing you're going through about a year ago, I figured I would give just a little insight.

Don't Rush.

Second semester of senior year is a really strange time when time itself seems to be dismembered. You feel like graduation cannot come soon enough and that the countdown on your phone is moving awfully slow, yet you think to yourself, "wow, I can't believe I am basically done with high school already." My advice to you is don't rush. The thing about time is you can never get it back, and trust me, once in a while when you're sitting in your dorm room, you are going to wish you had those last few memories with your friends back.

Keep In Touch With Your Friends.

And no, I don't just mean keep up with their Instagram or Twitter. I mean call them or text them every once in a while and see how their doing. Especially at the beginning of your first college semester, some people get a little overwhelmed, and hearing from a friend might just be what they need to get them through the day. So, keep that group chat with your high school friends! It's nice to know what's going on in their lives.

Be Nice To Your Parents.

Around this time, your mom is probably getting real emotional every time she sees a baby photo of you, and your dad is probably trying to hold it together, even though he knows he's going to miss you. You have to understand, your parents are gearing up for a very big day, a day in which you leave them, a day no parent is ever prepared for. If you are a first time college student (like me), it is even more difficult for your parents to watch you go. My advice would be to take it easy on them, because you don't know it now, but you are really going to be missing them when you're at school.

Be Open.

College experiences do not just come to you because you showed up. You have to go out and make friends, and try new things. Sometimes it will seem a little overwhelming, but just remember there are hundreds of other students just like you, trying to make it through college. Also, realize that your opinion is going to be questioned by other students, but just go with it and see where the questions of the world take you. You might learn something.

Have Fun!

Being in college has been life altering for me. I have learned so much in my first year already, and I have made the best memories. So live it up!

Love,

A College Freshman