Hey you,

Right about now you are getting ready for school, packing a ridiculous amount of clothes, getting all your dorm decorations in line, saying goodbyes to high school pals and making one last trip to the beach. Am I right? While the thoughts of finally leaving the nest, meeting new great friends, going to parties, showing off that tan you got this summer and finding the perfect outfit for the first day of college are running through your head at this moment, there are a couple of things I want you to know.

That “perfect” outfit you're planning on wearing? Not so perfect and also not so important. While looking nice is always great, the most important thing is that you are happy with what you are wearing. College is a time to reinvent yourself. Wear whatever you want and what makes you happy. Besides, with everything else going on, absolutely no one will remember what you wore on the first day of college.

Saying goodbye to your best friends from your hometown is not, in fact, the end of the world. Will you shed some tears the last time you and your girls get together? Of course, you will, those are your girls! But don’t forget the amazing power of phones and their ability to keep you in contact all the time.

Just because you no longer live with your parents does not mean you are not required to communicate with them. Call your parents, and answer them, too. They’re only the ones who spent their entire weekend getting you ready for school, loading the car, spending all kinds of money at Walmart and Target and then drove you all the way to school. You have no clue what your Spanish professor is saying because his accent is so thick? That really cute guy in your geography class asked for your number? Just call your parents. Let them hear your voice and know you are at least pretending to be an adult.

You control the dining hall; the dining hall does not control you. College will give you numerous opportunities to get a little hefty. Take control. Just because you can get pizza all of the time does not mean you have to eat pizza all of the time. Just because there are donuts every Saturday morning, does not mean you need to start everything weekend with a calorie-heavy treat.

Be a colander. (Yes, I know this sounds stupid, but it’s going somewhere.) You will meet a lot of people in college. Everyone you meet will not necessarily be right for you to spend time with. Sift through the people you meet, and hold on to the ones who are really there for you. I’m not talking about the ones who hold back your hair on the occasional rough weekend; you’ll figure out who I’m talking about soon enough. The people who constantly make you laugh, will watch all your stupid reality TV shows with you, who are always up for fun and truly have your back are the people for you.

Get involved. Getting involved with your community in college is a great way to get to know people and have a true sense of belonging. I will tell you that you will have a brief stint as a member of the worst volleyball team in history that you personally named “Safe Sets.” (P.S. you’re hilarious.) Once you get to college, you will realize there are infinite ways to participate at your school, just pick one.

Fondly,

Me

(P.S. Don’t drink too much boxed wine; you just think it’s cool because it’s in a box.)