Last year, I was a senior in high school. It’s hard to believe that now I am almost halfway done with my freshman year of college. I remember last year, spending my entire year worrying about test scores, what colleges I would apply to, etc. All of that worrying was worth it though. It truly was.

One big piece of advice from me is this — follow your heart. College is not for everyone, and if college is for you, make sure you chose the school you want to go to very carefully. Sure, you can find hundreds of people who say they love the school and that you would like it too. However, you will not truly know if you like a school or not until you step foot on campus, and start to truly experience what it is like to be a college student. Find a school that stands for what you truly believe in. Find a school that truly cares for your academic life, and doesn’t think of you as someone who is giving them “more money.” College isn’t supposed to be solely for big business. The institution should be focused on your goals and interests. College is a big step. It’s way different than high school (you will figure this out the first few weeks or so on campus). One big change is that you are technically an adult now. So, that is completely different from high school.

Make sure you stay in touch with people from your high school class. I know there are some people who hate everyone in their high school, but stay in touch with someone… anyone. Trust me, they will be useful when you need to vent about the school you decide to go to. Plus, it would just be nice to catch up with them. You never know if you are in the same position as someone else.

Also, don’t hold back on applying for scholarships. They will definitely help in the long run, especially if you plan on going to an out-of-state school. Out-of-school colleges aren’t cheap, trust me I know. Weigh out all of your options before you chose the school you want to go to for the next four years. Life happens, and sometimes you will have to switch schools in the middle of the year, etc. But, be confident in the fact that you can handle anything that is thrown at you. You can do this.