As the last month of senior year came and went, everyone was ready to graduate and get out of the prison they had been trapped in for the last four years. Caps were tossed, tears were shed, goodbyes were said and summer had began. But what most graduates don't realize is how important the summer after your senior year can be. It's your first chance to be on your own, to take matters into your own hands, and to start saving money for the four (or more) most expensive years of your life.

Senior Week

For most high school seniors, senior week is the one event everyone looks forward to all year (other than graduation and prom of course). You booked the hotel and paid for it all by yourselves, and now all that's left to do is pack your luggage in the car, blast the radio and drive to the nearest beach. Ocean City, Maryland, was the site of my senior week; the water was cold, the sun was hot and we had the best time of our lives. From the Shark Tank, to the boardwalk, to beach, we made memories we would never forget. I would definitely suggest this trip to anyone who has just graduated; it's a life changing trip (well, for me it was).

Graduation Parties

If you're anything like I was last summer, I had a grad party to go to about every other weekend. These get-together's give friends and family the chance to gather and celebrate the high school career and embrace the future of the high school grad. If you happen to be having this party, that means lots of family and friends (some of which you've never met before) getting together and sending you tons of money. From the food to the decorations, graduation parties are one of the many ways to brighten up your summer before you and your friends go your separate ways in the fall.

Dorm Room Shopping

After you've had your own grad party, and after all those scholarships you've managed to accumulate over the past year, you probably have a decent amount of money on your hands. Now some of those scholarships go straight to the school of your choice, but others come in check form. This is the money you can be used for books, odds and ends (parking pass, gym membership, etc) and for your basic necessities to fill your dorm room! You look online for good deals, check Pinterest for inspiration and coordinate ideas with your future roomie, then you're off. Always check Wal-Mart in their "back to school" section, and I highly recommend Bed, Bath, & Beyond (I managed to snag my bedding set for $50!). Just be sure to keep an eye out for those twin XL bedding and sheets.

Orientation

This one is one of the scariest, but most important events you will attend all summer: SOAR, your new student orientation. Here you'll get you picture taken and get you first ID (smile pretty, this is the only free picture you get and it will stick with you all four years), schedule your courses and, yes, do very awkward ice breaker activities. But you will also meet several people who will help your transition into college life, cherish these people because they know how to deal with you in awkward situations. Helpful tip: take your ALEKS math assessment seriously; it'll benefit you more in the end if you do.

Move-in Day

Finally, the day has come: Move-in Day! The day you've been hoping for/dreading since you fully committed to college. You go from home and having your own bedroom, to sharing a 10 x 10 room with a person you've never met before. Your OL (orientation leader) will be super helpful and answer any questions you have, and even sympathize with you if you happen to get stuck in supplemental housing (Shoutout to my OL Quinn). This is the start of your college career, so do your best to make friends with your roommate to make everything easier.

College is by far one of the best, but most challenging stages in your life so far, so do your best to enjoy the summer before your responsibilities kick in. Spend time with your friends, your family and relax. Life is about to kick in to high gear, so you better be ready when it does.