It is absolutely crazy how time flies. Just yesterday you were shorter than me, and I was dressing you up in every princess outfit I could find. I miss the days where I could paint your nails and you wouldn’t think twice about it. But now, here we are. You are graduating in one semester and I’m freaked out by it. When I was in your shoes, I couldn’t wait to get out of the little town we grew up in and explore the world on my own. I know taking advice for your big sister isn’t “cool,” but here are some things I learned that you need to take advantage of before leaving the nest.

One simple word. Laundry. Do you know how to do it correctly? Light loads and dark loads? I know your wardrobe consist of mainly black shirts and shorts, but it’s a good life skill to learn. Also, when mom yells across the house, “I NEED WHITES,” or “I NEED DARKS,” take advantage of it. You’ll regret the day when there isn’t a soul around to clean and neatly fold your clothes. This brings up another point…FOLD YOUR LAUNDRY. What happens when you invite a girl over and all your clothes are littering the floor? NOT cute.

With a couple months left at home, take advantage of every family dinner opportunity you can. Ask the fam out to dinner…on them. Ask grandma to cook you a nice, home-made meal. When you get to college, breakfast, lunch and dinner consists of overcooked food straight out of a dining hall. Or, if you really want to treat yourself, a nice bowl of Ramen noodles. Home-cooked meals aren’t a thing when you leave the nest. Neither is going to nice restaurants to get a properly cooked meal paid sponsored by mom and dad. As mom sometimes says, you’ll have to, “Fend for yourself.”

Sleeping is one thing that I highly suggest taking advantage of, especially in that queen size bed of yours. Not only will lack of sleep be an everyday battle, but also, your feet might hang off the edge of that luxurious Twin XL mattress. Sprawl out, take naps, sleep in. Also, learn how to put sheets back on after I call you to make sure you wash them. You’re welcome.

Take chances. It’s as simple as that. Take pictures. They are memories you’ll wish you could look back on. Ask a girl on a date. Go to your last prom. Stay up with friends for an all-nighter. Go to the football field to lay and look at the stars. Go on the boat. Go to the beach. Drive around our beautiful town while you still have the chance. Visit old teachers. Tell new teachers how much you appreciate them. Do your homework. Take a “senior skip day”… or a couple.

The next time you walk across campus, I urge you to take a look around. Put your cell phone down for a minute and just absorb everything you can. In a few months, your normal will be changed. Sitting in the graduation ceremony will be the last time you’re surrounded by every single person in your class. It will also be the last time you will see most of these people in your lifetime. Of course, you’ll keep in contact with a couple of friends here and there, but moving on means losing something. Moving on means leaving everything you’ve ever known and loved for just a short while. Moving on means parting ways with somethings that you love dearly. When I say you’ll miss it when you’re gone, I truly mean it. In the moment, you can’t wait to get out, but when you look through old pictures, you’ll can’t wait to have a life that feels so comfortable and natural again.