One year ago I was in your shoes. Like you probably are, I was counting down the days to graduation, willing time to move faster. I couldn’t wait for the freedom college would bring and my newfound independence. One year later, I am officially a college student. I have been here for three months now, am completely settled in and thrilled to see what the next four years will bring me. I promise you, it will be everything you dream of and more. You are on your own schedule, have classes that you’re interested in and are meeting tons of new people with the same motivations and interests as you. While this is an exciting new chapter, there will be times where you wish you had done some things differently. Before you get here, I thought I'd give you some advice:

1. Take more pictures. In one quick year, you will be sitting in your room in the throes of midterms and you’ll count on those pictures to make you smile when your workload is weighing you down. Having them printed out and pinned to my bulletin board brings me infinite joy every time I walk by it.
2. Put your phone down. You are coming upon a season of lasts: last prom, last game, last spirit week. While it is important to take pictures to remind you of these (emotional) lasts, it will be hard to be in the moment when your hand is attached to your iPhone. Savor these moments with your favorite people, for they will be gone sooner than you think.
3. Make time for your friends. It can be so easy to get caught up in perfecting your application, working that part time job and playing for your team. Keep in mind that soon you will be with all new people and it will likely be some time before you feel that kind of connection with people again.
4. Spend time with your family, too. While it may be tempting to go with your friends every night, make sure you leave some time for your parents and siblings. You will miss seeing them every day when you’re in college!
5. Decide who you want to be. College is one of the few times in life where you get to totally reinvent yourself. There is nothing holding you back from becoming who you have always wanted to be. You’ll be surrounded by brand new people, who knew nothing about the high school you. Try new things, meet different people, and don’t be afraid of what other people think.

College is a really exciting time. For the very first time, you are on your own. You will learn so much more than just what is in the books. You will learn things about yourself that you hadn’t realized before. You will meet people from different parts of the country, and even different parts of the world. While it is some of the best times in your life, don’t wish it away because the season of “lasts” with your high school friends is pretty special too.