This year, my sister and my roommate’s sister are graduating high school. So obviously, we spent a lot of time reminiscing about our senior years. And we think there is a lot we learned between senior year of high school and our sophomore year of college.

5 things to take away from high school:

1. Confidence

College can be scary. Honestly for the first month of classes, I felt like everyone knew stuff that I didn’t. Especially in my classes, I was afraid to speak because I didn’t want to look dumb. But confidence is key when it comes to college. It helps you get the grades and the friends you want. Bring that post-senior year glow to college!

2. Support

Something huge I learned in high school is the friends that support your goals and achievements are the best ones. In college and the real world, it is easy to be too competitive. But if you support your new friends, they will support you in return, and you’ll make some really good friends this way. There is no better feeling than walking into a room and being able to celebrate that A you worked so hard for.

3. Your friends

Some people say to leave your high school friends in high school, but I don’t think that’s good advice. Yes, some things are better left behind, but you made these friends for a reason and you’ve been together for at least four years. As my girl scout troop sang in kindergarten, “make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.” It may sound cheesy but I find it to be very true.

4. Your family

If anyone is going to stick by your side through it all, its family. They won’t care how long it’s been since you called or that you didn’t do laundry for a full month. Once you move out, you won’t see them every day, so you can feel that separation. But they’re going to be by your side and want to hear about all your experiences (ok, at least most of your experiences). Remember to keep that relationship or let it grow even more.

5. Your passions

There were things that I liked in high school that I thought were just temporary activities. But when I arrived at college and didn’t have them anymore, I felt their void. If you like something in high school, college is the time to experiment and follow it. It could be your passion, and you never know until you try!

4 things to leave in high school:

1. Bad Teachers

The only time a bad teacher should be brought up is if you’re telling a funny story. College professors can be good or bad, but the really good professors can be very useful. They can help you get a job or give you advice. Don’t let a bad teacher from high school discourage you. Utilize your college professors!

2. Your uniform

I went to a Catholic high school, so wearing regular clothes became a big deal to me in college. Even though the uniform is supposed to teach you about professionalism or something like that, honestly ignore it. Let your appearance be a reflection of who you are and have fun with it.

3. High school paraphernalia

This is the varsity jacket and your yearbook. Don’t throw it away, but you don’t need to bring it to school. It’s good to have memories, and you can bring pictures. But don’t be the kid still wrapped up in high school. It’s easy to remember the old time fondly if you aren’t trying to live in them.

4. Cool vs. uncool

Maybe I just had an extreme high school experience of cool vs uncool, or I just don’t see it existing in my school life right now. But nobody cares if you are cool or not. Have fun! Everyone else is just worrying about themselves too much to care what you’re doing.