Dear High School Senior Me,

Senior year was a year of many ups and downs. Senioritis kicked your butt, you experienced rejection and your plans changed drastically, but it all ended up working out.

If I could go back, I would slow down and soak it all up. I would soak up the late nights with friends. I would soak up the time spent with my family. I would soak up the excitement of getting accepted into college. I would soak up the classes that I thought were so hard (college is a lot harder). I would soak up every second.

People tell you all the time to enjoy high school. I beg you to do so. No matter how much you hate high school, try to like it. I’m not talking about the school part; I’m talking about the life part.

You will miss this. You’ll miss singing in the car with your friends while driving down roads you know better than you know yourself. You’ll miss being able to go to the beach every weekend. You’ll miss having your dad bring you food and tuck you in at night. Life gets tough.

Don’t get me wrong, college is the best, but don’t erase your high school memories. When you get to college, those high school stories will be the ones you tell your new friends. They make you who you are. Embrace them.

Applying to college is stressful. I hate to tell you this, but it’s the easiest part. There’s a laundry list of things to do before moving to college and an even longer list of expenses to be paid and goodbyes to be said. Remember all of the excitement you felt when you got accepted. It will remind you why you’re going through all of the hard parts.

Don’t get discouraged. Whatever happens is a part of a much bigger plan. Your dream school might not be so dreamy, so keep an open-mind.

Most of all, LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS. If it weren’t for them, you would never be where you are today. They will end up sacrificing more than you could imagine for you. You’ll miss them an unbelievable amount and turn into that kid who calls their parents 3 times a day (I have NO shame). You will see them in yourself for the rest of your life and you will be so grateful that they are who you take after.

Soak it all up. Nothing will ever be the same. This isn’t to scare you, it’s just the truth. Your high school friends will always be there for you, but you’ll grow apart. Home won’t feel like home anymore. Please, just soak it up.

Love,

Your College Self