To the Class of 2016,

First and foremost, I would like to say congratulations. You did it. You survived high school even though there were moments you were pretty sure you wouldn't make it this far. A toast to you.

The next couple of weeks (or week, in some cases) leading up to graduation are going to be both the longest and shortest weeks of your life (so far). The days that you are counting down until you finally get to walk the stage will be filled with reviews, finals, last minute scholarship essays, and many many memories. In fact, some of the best memories of your senior year will come in these last few weeks, where you're basically done but you're still there and you're all just trying to make the most of it.

Do it. Make the most of it. Skip the class you've been dying to skip all year to go color in the library with your friends, eat lunch with your favorite teacher and tell him or her how grateful you were for their patience and guidance and how much you're going to miss them. Go in early, stay late. Go in late, leave early. You are running low on time. When you walk that stage in your cap and gown with people you've known for twelve years or more, be proud to say that you lived your high school experience to the fullest, at least your fullest.

Because the next step is college, and let me tell you, it is not as glamorous as it looks. It isn't all Ramen and coffee and fun.

College is challenging, to say the least. I'm not trying to scare you, but as someone who recently ended her freshman year, I feel that I should share my wisdom with you incoming freshman.

Being a freshman in college is nothing like being a freshman in high school. We do not hate you, we are actually pretty excited you're there (most of us), and we would love to help you find your building or room or wherever it is you're going. And if you're lucky enough to have classes with Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, befriend them. You will have questions that your fellow freshman can't answer that these older kids can.

For those of you who come from a smaller school, yes, your teachers are less involved - in the classroom. But that does not mean they care any less or can't help you as well. You have to make an effort to meet with them during office hours or make an appointment to meet with them at another time. Yeah, some professors aren't all that great, but most of them genuinely care about you and your success - so long as you do.

College is not as daunting of a task as it seems. Keep your head up and you'll be just fine.

See you in the fall!