Dear you,
You probably think that this is the end and in a way, it is. This is the end of four years that may or may not have been good to you, but now you have a fresh start. You have somewhere else to make friends and meet people you would have otherwise never been friends with.
It is best to know now, what college you want to go to. whether it is five hours away or more, or even right at home, go where it feels right. Go where your heart tells you to go, not where your parents tell you to go because you will most likely end up miserable and upset the entire time you are there. You are going to leave high school and be so nervous, I was for at least the first month.
I promise, not all college professors are mean, some are really cool and you will form bonds with them. They may even email you to ask if you could babysit their kids for them after you leave their class. Yes, books are very expensive, but there are websites to get them cheaper. Sadly, some professors will tell you to buy their book and you will never open it, it sucks.
College is what you make of it. Don't listen to the person who just parties all the time because they will tell you it is the best time of your life. College is not all about parties (they're fun though). college is more about your academics and this is where you will create the foundation for a career.
I promise that once you get into the classes that pertain to your major it will get so much enjoyable. I came to a school that I did not want to go to, but I made the most out of it. I joined a sorority and other clubs and met so many people that I would have never talked to. Join something, go out and make a fool of yourself because I promise, you will get noticed and people will want to be your friend.
Meeting the girls in my sorority made my college experience so much easier and it is nice to be able to walk around campus and wave or say hi to people that I know.
Take as many opportunities as you can and make the best out of it.
Sincerely,
Someone who felt the exact same way as you did.