My spring break is here. This time a few years ago I was making pivotal choices. Where will I go? How will I live?

I wanted college more than anything, but I didn't know what it would be like. Looking back, there's a lot of advice I would give the high school students who are in the same boat right now. If you're dreaming of college but haven't hammered out the details, look no more. This article should help you get prepared.

1. Be yourself, but more importantly, don't be hurt when people don't like "you."

You've heard it hundreds of times, but it's the truest truth out there. Be yourself. Do what makes you happy. Dress the way you want to dress. Don't conform just to make someone like you. If people shun you, don't want to be around you or even try to hurt you, screw them. You don't need the validation of brats in high school to make you whole.

2. Your friends now may not be your friends later. You'll meet more in college.

I am not close with a single person I used to be close with in high school. The exceptions are few and far between. The people I am close with weren't in my graduating class. Don't get so wrapped up in your friendships now that you fail to see the future. They might grow away from you. They might step on your heart. You will prevail regardless.

3. The odds you've met your soulmate are slim to none. You might find them in college.

I'm also not dating the my high school partner. I was sure I would marry them. I'm not. I'm dating someone totally different now. Don't let your heart break if your high school love doesn't last. It probably won't. You aren't doomed. You'll be okay. Even if you don't date as often as you like or are used to, you will have so much fun. Your worth is not determined by your partnerships.

4. Open doors, take chances, and relish opportunities.

Club opening? Leadership position? Someone wants you to volunteer to paint a mural? Wants to hire you? Opportunity to learn a new skill? Run a class? Do it. This lends well to tip number five.

5. Build your resume.

A lot of incoming college freshman have scant resumes. They walked dogs, babysat their neighbors (no shame, I babysat my neighbors and it was awesome) and nothing else. They don't talk about their skills, goals, interests, internships, jobs, classes, relevant experience, volunteer work, leadership, nothing. Make your resume look awesome. It will help with admissions, jobs and opportunities.

6. Impress your teachers.

If someone calls you "teacher's pet," nod. You should be. You should prove to your teachers you are respectful, skilled, driven and focused. Do what they ask. Apologize when you make a mistake or they have to discipline you in class. Ask them to help you understand concepts. Be kind to them. Recognize they are people. They'll be writing the recommendations that could make or break your chances at scholarships and admission.

7. Work in the summer.

It's probably too much for the school year, but part to full time work in the summer can contribute to your resume and your experience. You also get money. Save that money for textbooks and housing. You'll need it.

8. Finish your projects.

Writing a book? Finish it. Painting? Finish it. Campaign? Finish it. Volunteer effort? Finish it. Donation drive? Finish it. Prove to your college of choice you can follow through on a task and complete it. They want to know you'll stick around and graduate. You can easily prove it to them by showing them a finished product.

9. Learn how to do laundry, make your own food, and manage your finances.

I know college freshmen who have never done laundry. Don't be that freshman. Understand the basic add clothes, add soap, run cycle rules. Know what needs to be separated. Know what soap you need in order to not break out. Get comfortable with the routine. Know how to not starve if your dining hall closes or you run out of points to spend. This may mean buying cans of soup and knowing how to cook them. It may mean saving snack money. Finances play into both of these. Don't overspend. Give yourself categorical allowances for the month, don't go over them and save for a rainy day.

10. Learn something about taxes and how scholarships and taxes interact.

Did you know your parents can get tax credit for textbooks? Do you know what a 1098-T is? Do you know what your filing status is? Are you exempt? Find the answers! You'll want to have a good understanding of taxes so you and your family can benefit.

11. Connect with your parents about college and finances.

If you want to go to a school that costs $60,000 a year and you haven't talked to your family about it, please do. They may need to take out loans. You may need to take out loans. Don't spring that on them. Be transparent and navigate what's physically possible for you and your family. Don't let finances close too many doors, but be realistic.

12. Don't let anyone choose your school or major for you.

If your parents want you to go to X school for Y major and you don't want to go, don't go. Period. They can't be in control of this part of your future. It's one of the most important choices you'll ever make. If you want a certain major, go for it. If you have a dream school, don't let your parents' non-monetary critique of it stop you. That being said...

13. Don't tie yourself down to a major. You will learn more in college than you ever thought possible.

I was 100% sure I wanted to be a psychology major. When I took my first psychology class, I slept through it and still got an A. It was the most miserably boring thing I've ever done. I immediately became a political science major. Now I'm a communication minor and creative writing minor, too. You will find out so much about yourself while you're studying. Your desires will develop. That's okay. It's supposed to happen.

14. Be choosy. Think about what you want your everyday life to look like.

I thought it would be cool to go to Berkley or Stanford. Then I went to those campuses, saw them, and realized how much I hated the idea of living on them. I needed something small, homey, quiet, easy to navigate and with access to certain resources. I'm happy in my college town. If you won't be happy in a little place, pick a big one. If you know you'll hate something, don't let the big name sway you to put up with it.

15. Think about the comforts in your life. Find a way to bring them with you.

I love tea. Having a kettle or a microwave with me at all times is essential. It's one thing I have to have for my life to feel normal. Art supplies have a similar power, for me. If you've rode horses your entire life, try to find a stable in the area and ask the people who work there how you can get involved. Make college your new normal. You'll be miserable if you can't make it feel like home.

16. Do IB, AP, community college, or whatever advanced options are available, even if you hate them.

Credits at my school cost over $200 a credit. Some schools have a tuition cost that breaks down to hundreds of dollars per class period. IB, AP, and community college dual enrollment usually cost a couple hundred dollars at most for the whole deal. Do it. You'll have thousands of dollars worth of elective (or major relevant) credits you won't need to pay tons for in college. Do well. Those class grades will follow you to your college transcript. Set yourself up for success. I came into college with two terms worth of credits complete. It gave me the freedom to go abroad without worry. It's so worth it.

17. Learn the basic structure of a successful essay and never forget it.

Hook, intro, body, conclusion. Thesis statement, backed up with evidence. If you can use evidence to prove a thesis statement, you're basically set for life. You'll write so many essays, you'll want to be a pro at it going in. It'll make your life so much easier.

18. Don't underestimate the value of Microsoft Word. Or a printer.

If you think you don't need Microsoft word, you do. You totally do. I thought I wouldn't. I brought a free word processor. It sucked. It had compatibility issues. Professors wanted all my assignments in .docx format. Microsoft word only. I bought it pretty fast. My saving grace was my printer. Yes, it's expensive to print, but when you wake up five minutes before class and need that essay, you don't want to screw around with the library printer. Wake up, print it and run. Best thing I ever bought.

19. Get your hands in every pond possible.

Clubs, jobs, internships, projects. There will be tons of things in college you want to do. Prioritize those things over partying and alcohol and everything else that doesn't lend itself to your future. Get involved. Say yes as much as you can. Don't overburden yourself, though. Know what you can and can't do and stick to your schedule. I know a woman who presented her capstone project on our campus. A senator was watching and hired her on the spot with an amazing salary and benefits. You never know where opportunities will take you.

20. Connect with employers on campus before you show up.

If you need a job to afford college, look at your school's career postings or call the departments you're interested in working with. Introduce yourself and offer to email your awesome resume ahead of classes starting. Your initiative will impress them and you'll be the first name on their mind.

21. Don't stress about losing contact with the past.

It's going to happen. You'll forget to contact family members, friends, teachers and more. You'll lose some of your connection to your home. Just because you're losing parts of the past doesn't mean you're losing your identity. When you go home or connect with those people again, the nostalgia and joy you'll feel will be plenty to make up for lost time.

22. Apply early, hear back early, decide early, relax.

Odds are you've applied and you're waiting to hear back right now. If some of your schools have late deadlines and you're putting off your application, don't. The sooner you know, the sooner you can chill and enjoy your summer.

23. When in doubt, remind yourself that your high school diploma may not be enough.

If you experience a brief moment of hatred for college consider sacrificing your goals, remember the world you're living in. I don't mean to be bleak, but our world is changing, growing and demanding more of us every day. It's scary. It's hard. It will be hard the entire time you're working for it. Nonetheless, your high school diploma may not hold up. If you dream of doing a certain kind of work, don't give it up. Don't settle for less. You will thank yourself.

24. Don't bring your car.

This one is conditional. If you have to drive to reach basic resources, bring it. That said, my entire college town is a 30 minute walk from start to finish. A car would have been a waste of time, money, gas, insurance, fresh air and fitness. Learn to savor simplicity. Walk more. Stay close to home and enjoy the thrill of the place you're at. There's no need to run. Anyway, you're in college. You don't want to get too far away from the land you're studying in.

25. Make it about you.

Everything I've said may not be what you need. You know what you need. Ask yourself what you want to get out of the college experience and work toward that. Don't let anyone steer you differently. Keep your goals in your head and push forward. Make it work for you.