As the beginning of college draws near, here are some things I keep reminding myself of so as to not completely lose it and have a meltdown:

1. You’ve made it this far, so you’ve got this.

You will have doubts, and you might feel helpless at times in the future. When that happens, take advantage of all of the resources you have, and remember: you can do this. In the past 18 or so years of your life, you’ve probably had some valuable experiences that have helped you get to this stage in your life.

2. Things are going to change.

Your lifestyle is going to change, so a lot of other things can change too. Your opinions might change, your friend circle is going to change, you might become unrecognizable to your past self, but that’s okay as long as you’re ultimately happy with who you’re becoming and what you’re doing.

3. You’re going to miss home.

Homesickness is going to hit you hard. So immerse yourself in your new life and make sure you call and visit your family whenever you can (and there will always be time for that).

4. Reach for the stars.

Remember what you’re going to college to do and do everything you can to accomplish it. Don’t waste opportunities. Get involved around campus. Don’t be lazy. Leave your comfort zone. Try not to have any regrets.

5. You’re going to do stuff you regret.

That’s how you learn. But make sure you learn so that you don’t make the same mistakes. And then make some more mistakes and learn some more.

6. Prioritize.

Your newfound freedom is going to be tempting. Very tempting. But make sure you have your priorities straight so that you don’t lose focus too often.

7. Relax and have fun.

The next four years are going to be tough, but they’re also going to be some of the best ones of your entire life thus far. Embrace life, live in the present and cherish these moments.