Dear future college student,

Picture this: you’re sitting in your dorm room laughing and enjoying ice cream with your roommate. You just scored mostly all A’s on your finals, and you’ve never been happier with your newly found freedom. The independence looks good on you.

It’s where we’ll be in a few months.

Graduation was over in a blink of an eye, and by now you’ve been asked, "Where are you going to school?" and "What will you major in?" at least a million times. Although college seems daunting at times (especially if you’re going out of state), you tell everyone that you’re ready.

But, are you really ready to leave everything behind? I know it’s a cliché question, and before you jump to the conclusion that this is another article telling you to make the most out of your summer (I promise it’s not), I’m asking you to ask yourself these questions:

1. Have you really thought about leaving and how your life will be different or is it too surreal to even think about?
2. Have you thought how it will effect more than just yourself?

Don’t get me wrong, college is supposed to be the best four years of our lives, and I truly believe it will be. But, college and the rest of your life will never be the same as it is now. I won’t start going on about how you should make the most of your time at home (that would make me a liar), rather, I will tell you that your time spent in your hometown is coming to an end no matter how you feel about it. I will also tell you that you will miss it all, from the home cooked meals to the two biggest hugs you got after you won a big game.

Your parents will now be empty nesters or at least losing a piece of their family in the matter of months. Every day they will come home to an empty home or they will come home and be reminded that part of their family is missing. I know what you’re thinking: my parent’s can’t wait for me to leave. They’ve been counting down the days this entire year! That may be true, but deep down your parents never want you to leave. They did get every single 18 years with you thus far, and they haven’t experienced being away from you much more than a week for summer camp.

Your siblings will miss you too (even though they won’t admit it).

Your friends will miss being able to drive five minutes to see you. You won’t see them every weekend or day like you do now.

The future always seems to sneak up on us before we know it. The first 18 years of your life have gone by quickly, right? College, and the rest of your life will fly by even quicker. I know when I look back on my life when I’m 90, I want to be able to say I lived. Do not waste time on anything that will not affect your tomorrow.

When we finally get to college we’re all going to struggle at some point with the newly found independence. (Some people will be shocked when their laundry isn’t folded for them after the first week.) Whatever you may be struggling with, for example finals, know that they will benefit your future and that you’ll soon be celebrating over a carton of ice cream with your roomie.