Last semester of high school, right?

Getting senioritis and wanting to move out and be on your own, right?

Counting down the days to graduation, right?

Trying not to let people know that you really are scared about going off to college in less than a year, right?

Well, let me start off by saying that senior year is your time to live every day to the fullest. The last semester of your high school career has begun. The endless list of "last times" begins now.

Think about it: before you know it your last homecoming week will be coming to an end, your last prom will eventually fly by, the classmates you are with could soon become strangers in your later life and the teachers you know now will soon only become a memory. That last pep rally, that last club meeting, that last sports practice, that last drive to and home from school, that last cafeteria lunch and the last chance to enjoy every last day of your high school career.

My advice to you: make this last semester worth it.

Say "hi" to people you have never talked to in the hallways for you may never see them again. Tell your teachers "thank you" for giving so much of their knowledge to you. You will never understand how nice it is to have such a close relationship with your teachers until you move to college and have classes filled with about 300+ people.

Participate in every event, you may regret it if not. Appreciate your friends. They may move on to bigger and better things at a different college than you. Most of all, live this last semester how you should live your whole life: with no regrets.

I'll admit it, transitioning into college is scary but it's the beginning of the rest of your life. College means branching out, making new friends, learning how to function on no sleep and trying things you never thought you would try.

Being away from home for the first couple months will be a challenge. Not having home cooked meals every night will make you homesick as well as not being able to drive 5 minutes to your best friend's house will make you want to make a two-hour drive to see them.

Overall, college is much different than high school. Yes, college is very exciting with the thought of being on your own and taking your life into your own hands. On the other hand, high school is very important too. The friends you make in high school will last you forever. They will help you through the toughest times in college.

So yes, be excited. College is an amazing experience. Do not wish away high school. It will go by so much faster than you think.