So you graduated high school. Let me be the seemingly thousandth person to congratulate you on your impressive feat. I'm sure there are some of you out there who think the celebration of graduating high school is a tad sensationalized, and while to an extent they are correct, it is a big event in your life. But this is just one thing in a life that I hope will be full of accomplishments.
You are probably excited, happy, and a little or a lot bit scared. But let me tell you, there's no reason to be scared. Take a deep breath, chances are these next few years are gonna be really fun for you. If you are going to college, here are five pieces of advice I'd like to impart on you. If you're taking a gap year, or not going to college at all, you are no less than those going directly into college. But since I did neither of these options, I can't really speak for it. But just know that we all have our paths and we must all be true to ourselves.
1. Don't wait till the last second to pack for college.
The thought of college already leaves you overwhelmed enough; why wait until the last second to pack? Here's what I did the summer before I went to college. I collected all that I needed throughout the summer so that when the time came to pack up and move out everything was ready. Use all the time and energy you save on packing and spend it on your family and high school friends. You might not ever spend that much time with them ever again. I know there's a whole "I won't forget you!" thing with high school friends/significant others, and some don't, but be prepared for them to all forget about you and for you to never see them again.
2. Be open to new friendships.
Hopefully college will get you to realize that the world is much wider than your little bubble appeared in high school. You will meet people from all walks of life; don't be afraid to walk with them. You never know who is around the corner waiting for a friend, or who can enhance your life tenfold. Just because someone doesn't think the same as you do or like the same things you do does not mean you can't be friends with them. I found many friends within the theatre program, while I myself am a biology major.
3. Learn how to study.
For the love of all things bright and beautiful, learn how to study. You might have been able to glide through high school, possibly even with stellar grades, but you cannot just glide in college. I have a few friends who let not learning how to study properly ruin them-- don't let that happen to you. Keep a study schedule, find a favorite study spot on campus, learn some study hacks. It'll benefit you greatly.
4. College is not about fitting in.
In high school you might've thought it was best to just fit in and glide through (like my previous point). Again, this mentality won't get you very far in college. College is about rounding yourself out and learning how to be comfortable in your own skin through being uncomfortable in your own skin. Take that class you know nothing about, go to that event/club you don't know will be fun, experiment!
5. There will be people stuck in high school mode.
As a Bowling For Soup song goes, high school never ends. There will be a lot of incoming freshman who keep the same high school mentality and it will be their downfall. Do not be like them and pay little attention to them. Do not play their game of immaturity or apathy. Care about everything, but take nothing so seriously. Work on bettering yourself so that the rest of your life is easier. Not saying your life or college will be easy, but if you grow up a little it'll be way less hard than if you didn't grow up.
So those are my little pieces of advice. It's not much, but I just completed my second year of college and I know just a little more now than I did when I was in your position. Oh, and don't forget to have fun. College is about learning, but it's also about experiences, both of which no one can take away from you. Take a deep breath and do not worry too much. Enjoy the drive.
