To the Class of 2016,

You’re so close. You have around one month until you will be walking across the stage receiving that diploma. You have one more month of your after school practices, your high school classes with your best friends, jiggling that locker open and getting away with handing in assignments late. Whether you loved high school or hated it, it's rapidly coming to an end.

Most of you have been in the same school for 12 years now, and a lot of you may be ready for a change and for the next chapter in your life to begin. You probably realized that this is your year of ‘lasts.’ Your last first day of high school. Your last football game standing in the freezing cold cheering on the boys. Your last time gathering in the same spot with your classmates. Your last prom. Your last pep rally. The list seems to never end. If I could tell you one thing for your last month, it would be to not wish away your senior year.

You may be realizing it more than ever right now that time really does fly by. It seems like just yesterday that I went to my senior prom, ran around my town with my friends doing ridiculous things for the senior scavenger hunt, participated in the senior year activities and graduated high school.

Soak in all of the activities you have left of senior year and treasure the memories you make with your friends. Before you know it, you will be packing up your bedroom, saying goodbye to your friends and going to college where your life will change. You won’t be driving your normal route to school and parking in the same spot. You won’t be coming home to home-cooked meals. You won’t be sitting in class next to your best friend. You won’t be going to your favorite greasy food restaurant with your friends after winning the football game.

But right now, you are still a senior in high school, so don’t try to rush out of it. Don’t get me wrong, college is great and you will make some of your best friends and have the best times there. But for now, make sure to appreciate your hometown, friends, family and school. Because in just one month, your life will begin to change.

One month. One month you have, my friends, until you will get ready to become the people you have always dreamed of being. A lot can happen in a month, so make the most of the time you have left of being a high school student. College is amazing, I promise, but get ready for change (a good change). Before that change comes, though, here’s my advice for you.

Go to every senior event. Go to your senior banquet, class trip, class night and all the other senior events. This is the last time your class will all be together.

Don’t waste your time trying to impress people. If you want to go to school in baggy sweatpants and no makeup, go for it.

Don’t give up, but also cut yourself some slack. Make sure you still put effort into your classes and study for those last finals you have. But, it’s important to enjoy your last few weeks of high school. This is the last time where you can be carefree, so now is the time to go easy on yourself.

Spend time with your best friends and cherish your memories together. You’re with these people almost everyday, and it could be a long time until you’re all together again.

Take tons of pictures.

Appreciate your parents' cooking. Trust me, you’ll miss this.

Hug your siblings and parents often.

Be kind, always. It’s really simple.

Thank your teachers, parents and other influential adults. They’re the ones who pushed you to do nothing but your best and helped shaped the people you are today.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Look forward to change. Some of you might hate the idea of change, but it's important to realize that the change you have ahead is so amazing. The thought of leaving your friends and family could be very scary, but you will meet amazing people in college and have the best years of your life.

Give your sports and activities your best effort. People are still looking up to you.

Laugh and dance a lot!

Reach out to people. People change at the end of high school. Reach out to your friends and make them know that you do care about them.

Have fun. You are only in high school once. Appreciate the memories, your teachers, your family and your friends. Love your senior class and cherish every single moment.

So, before you receive those diplomas, appreciate the memories you made in the halls of your high school and the person you have become. Make the most out of the time you have left with your high school friends before heading off to the next chapter in your life.

Let the countdown to graduation begin!