To incoming college freshmen,

First, I just want to say congratulations! You've gone through a lot in the past few months - I know how demanding the final year of high school can be. I found that senior year was the most stressful, especially with AP testing, SAT retakes, college applications and more. But hey, you're almost done! If you haven't had your prom yet, you have that to look forward to (please go to that)! Plus, in about a month, you'll never have to get up as early as you do now... well, unless you choose to take 8:30s in college, but don't do that. Seriously.

You have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, though it certainly is a big transition. College is nothing like high school; in fact, I find it a lot better, in that it gives you the opportunity to see what living on your own is like.

Tackling laundry, cleaning your room and getting up on your own can be difficult. I know this because I'm lazy and didn't do these things in high school! But it's all a much-needed wake-up call to the real world of not having mommy and daddy at your hand and food. I know I needed it.

College is also a great opportunity to be a different person than you were in high school. Due to the awkwardness I felt in the first few days of not having my three best friends around, I knew I had to open up to others if I wanted to have a good college experience.

I've found myself to be a more charismatic person ever since! Despite being an introvert at heart, I'm not afraid to speak to my teachers anymore or get help from the guy next to me. It's certainly a new experience for me, but it's definitely a better one. So please acknowledge that you don't have to be the same person you were the past four years! You're surrounded by new people now and have the opportunity to be a whole new person at college than from home. Like Hannah Montana, you're living the best of both worlds!

Please keep these things in mind as I leave you with some insight on the biggest pre-college worries that I remember stressing over. The classes may seem like a lot compared to high school, but they're nothing you can't handle. Yes, the freshman fifteen is real, and you can't escape it. And the food isn't the best, so appreciate home-cooked goodness before you leave. Professors are there to help you, so go to their office hours.

Don't skip class - the work you have to make up makes it not worth it. Try to cooperate and be courteous with your roommates, and if you can't, you have an RA who is happy to help sort anything out. Make friends with those around you, especially in class, so if you can't make it, you can text someone for notes. Remember to exercise, make time for yourself sometimes and not bury your head in your books. And seriously - DON'T TAKE 8:30s.

I hope this has helped and your freshman year rocks!

Kerri