I know it doesn't always seem like it, but I love being your big sister. I've always loved watching you experience things that I have been through from the other side, and watch you grow, discover, and learn about life. I love the pride beaming from my every pore when I see you accomplish things you sometimes don't even see how incredible they are.

So as your big sister, I find it my duty to send you away with some words of advice. And this advice is applicable to really anybody first starting off college (and I would hope so since I'm posting this very publicly). Also, the point here is to also give advice not many people tell you about. So, let me know if I'm successful.

First of all, I want to start out by saying whatever emotion you are feeling whether it is joy, excitement, poop your pants nervous, absolutely terrified or some kind of weird combination, this is all normal. In fact, anything that happens to you first semester of college or during college in general is totally normal. This is where I made a big mistake. I thought there were things I SHOULD have been doing or certain things SHOULD happen to me, and when they would not pan out the way I expected them to, I would be vastly disappointed, and it made college much harder to adjust to. And you're also constantly feeling inadequate. So, do what you want to do and ride the wave. No two college experiences are the same.

Another key point is to try EVERYTHING that sounds interesting to you. You'll learn pretty quickly that commitment is a loose term in college so if you're over it in a month, totally ok. Quit. But definitely try it. On a related note though, also know you still have three more years of college to try things out, so you don't have to do it all your freshman year. This all refers back to the previous point as well: your college experience, no one else's.

Finally, and most importantly, college is the first time in your life where you will be living on your own. You're going to learn about and explore so many things about yourself and your place in this world. I still learn something new everyday. It's all very exciting, but it's also a little scary. Embrace all of it. It all goes by so incredibly fast. One day you'll wake up about to start your senior year, and don't know how you got there. But yet when you think back on the past few years, you barely recognize the person who was about to begin their freshman year. Some pretty great things will happen in college, and some real bad things will happen too, but they are all important to shaping you. Just when you think you're losing yourself, some clarity will shine through.

You're going to be incredible, I know it. I'm so proud of you and I love you.

Ps- Don't forget to call Mom every now and again.