Graduating from high school is an exciting time. There is so much to look forward to. You get to see your family, attend graduation parties, and shop for all your dorm accessories. I have been in college for two years now and I have prepared some advice for you that I wish someone would have told me.

1. You Don't Have To Be Best Friends With Your Roommate.

I played roommate roulette and got a random roommate. Coming in I thought I had to be best friends with her, even though we were really different people. She decorated her side with pretty pink floral while I hung my TMNT curtains. I didn’t know anybody else so I just convinced myself that we had to be best friends. Looking back, I’m glad I spent the time to get to know my roommate, but we were never going to be best friends, and life was so much easier once I decided it was okay if we weren’t the perfect pair.

2. You Will Miss Home.

On move in day I was up and ready to go. I didn’t blink twice when I drove out of the driveway. I waved goodbye to my parents and didn’t look back. I never thought I would get homesick. It seemed uncool to miss your parents. I didn’t see anyone else missing their parents, but the truth is everyone gets homesick eventually and there is nothing wrong with that. Pick up the phone and call your parents--it won't make you a loser or a baby.

3. Try New Things.

If you don’t listen to anything else I say, listen to this one. Get out of your dorm and join a club. Do whatever makes you happy. Join a sorority, the gardening club, or try underwater basket weaving. Just do something that interests you, even if you have never done it before or are afraid your friends back home won’t understand. College is a time to be yourself and to do what makes you happy, so don’t waste a single moment worrying about what others think.

4. Everyone Makes Mistakes.

If college was easy, it wouldn’t be rewarding. If you never challenge yourself then you will never grow, so don’t be afraid to take a few risks. Sometimes you will surprise yourself with what you can accomplish. If you make a mistake, that’s okay too. Nobody’s perfect, so don’t judge yourself too harshly.

5. Learn The Art Of Napping.

Going to bed every night at a reasonable hour is a thing of the past, so start learning how to take naps now. Whether it is a quick ten-minute nap in between classes or a two-hour power nap, if you have a chance to grab a nap, take it.

6. Go To Class.

Seriously, just go. In the movies college kids never go to class and still seem to have perfect grades. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have to go to class. Remember the reason you are in college in the first place is to get an education. So go to class. Skipping every class does not make you cool. Just go to class and save yourself the trouble.

7. You Have The Right To Change Your Mind.

It’s alright to not know what you want to do. Really. It is. Picking a major is a lot of pressure at the age of 18. Do you go pre-med because your dad wants you to or do you become a theater major even if you aren’t sure what you will do after graduation? No one can or should decide for you. Do what makes you happy. You have the right to change your mind. If you join a club, but end up hating it, then it's okay to get out. Life is short, so don’t waste time being miserable.

8. You Don't Have To Be Friends With Everyone.

Let me be the first to tell you that you don’t have time for toxic people in your life. I didn’t know anyone when I came to college, so I wanted to be everyone's friend, but I soon realized that having a few great friendships is much better than a lot of unimportant friendships. Find the friends who will be there for you and love you for who you are. Everyone else is unimportant. They say the friends you make in college will be your friends for the rest of your life. Pick some good ones.

9. Have Fun.

I am a first generation student so there is a lot of pressure to succeed in college, and at first I didn’t do anything but study and go to bed early. I was weeks ahead on my reading and watched my roommate have so much fun. It took me a while to relax. College is the best four years of your life. While your GPA is important, having fun is too. All work and no play makes a college student miserable. You need to have fun sometimes.

10. You Will Have A Bad Grade So Don't Panic.

I graduated in the top of my class and never really had to study that hard. I was good at school so coming into college I thought it would be that easy. I had plenty of people tell me it was going to be harder, and for the most part I found this to be false. Until I took my first science class and I didn’t do too hot on the first exam. I started to see what everyone was saying about college and a panic set in. Let me be the first one to say you will do badly at least once and that is okay. No one is perfect and you will have to adjust to college life no matter how prepared you think you are. Failing your first exam is not the end of the world. Let it motivate you to study harder.

11. It Is Okay To Not Know Your Path.

All of high school you have been preparing to get into college. You have picked a major and now everyone is going to ask you question every college kid hates to hear: “What are your plans after graduation?” Don’t think just because you’re a freshman people won’t ask you, because they will. So don’t panic, just smile and ramble off any career choice even if you have no idea what you want to do after graduation because it is okay to not know what you want to do.

12. Find A Good Book.

College can be tough at times so find your favorite book to keep you calm during difficult times. Most students will think I’m crazy to tell you to read because you won’t have time, but make time. Take at least five minutes a day just for yourself to avoid a mental break down. You will thank me later.

13. You Don't Have To Have Fun Every Weekend.

College in the media is all parties and adventures, so I though tI had to have a movie worthy weekend every time. The truth is it's okay to want to sit in your dorm and watch Disney movies. There is no shame in wanting an easy weekend in. You don’t have to go to a wild party every Friday night to have a good college experience. Do what makes you happy. If happy to you is re-watching Grey’s Anatomy with your roommate and eating a whole pizza, then do it, and invite me over!

14. Keep Up With Old Friends.

If you go to college away from your high school best friends it can be tough to keep that friendship alive, but it's not impossible. Just remember to send them a quick text every now and then. Going from seeing them every day to only holidays will be an adjustment but it is possible to keep high school friendships alive.

15. Being Scared Is Natural.

I grew up in a small town with the same kids in my class since the first grade, so going off to a school alone where I didn’t know anyone was scary. Everyone kept telling me I was going to have the best time and that I would have so much fun that I felt like a failure if I admitted I was terrified. I’m going to let you in on the biggest secret that took me too long to learn. Everyone is scared. You are not alone, so put on your game face and put yourself out there.

16. Take Lots Of Pictures.

Four years will go by faster than you know, so take lots of pictures because you will want to remember the best days of your life. Make sure to post a few of them on Facebook for your family too, even if their comments are embarrassing--it just means they love you.

I wish you luck Class of 2016, because move in day will be here before you know it. College can be a fun and exciting time but it can also be scary, so just hang in there. I have faith you will make it to 2020!