Congrats! You did it. You survived high school, a notable feat I must say. At times it wasn't easy. You survived the numerous tests, never-ending detention, soap opera drama, and tension between grades. On a more positive note, you also took the time to celebrate tough times through chanting at Friday night football games, spirit week, homecoming and prom. While this time may be super exciting, in a couple weeks fear may enter his foot in the door and have you asking questions about what next is to come.

Don't let fear cause you to worry! Everything will be all right. And this is coming from someone who always prematurely hits the panic button and has been in your shoes... or should I say, in your gown. High school was tough, but looking back, you got tougher.

What scared me the most about graduating was seeing everybody doing something different. In high school, you take the same classes as your classmates, you have the same bell schedules, you have the same classes with the same people.

After high school, your future is all in your hands. Scary to probably read that, but the truth. Take a deep breath and then reflect. What did you enjoy most about high school and how can you manipulate your enjoyment into your future? What I mean is make sure you are happy in anything you do and incorporate your happiness in your future. In high school, I loved my biology classes. I became a Biology major and I am so happy in my classes. I am focusing on my strengths and I am happy.

For me, thinking about my future was pretty clear with my life's experiences and influences. Yours may be more muddled. You may not know what you are interested in at all and that's okay! Make mistakes to grow. Make a leap of faith to learn more. If you learn something about yourself that is an accomplishment. To be completely honest, after high school, I chose my major not knowing completely what I would do with it. I knew that I was interested in medicine, but it wasn't until my second semester of college in a medical mission trip I confirmed my passion.

That leads me to my next tip: give to others. I have found that in times I give to others, I am happier. Now, I don't volunteer selfishly to reward myself with happiness. But, volunteering just has that added bonus. I firmly believe in giving to others you learn more about yourself as well. Contradictorily, by not thinking about yourself or consuming yourself in social media, volunteering gives you the bigger picture and gives you purpose. So, get off your phone and get outside to help others.

Lastly, have fun in everything that you do! Whether you are working or in classes, take a break and have fun with friends. For those of you going to college, you will hear more than once this summer that "College is going to be the best four years of your life!" Don't haunt yourself with that phrase. Make the most of every day within the next four years of college or working and beyond that. There doesn't have to be a limit of loving every day. Surround yourself with those you love and every day will be one for the books.