“Congratulations”, “you did it”, “you made it”: You’ll hear this a million times over the course of the summer. High school graduation marks the end of life as you knew it. It’s the end of an era, but really, it’s just the beginning. As summer winds down you’ll hear your parents spew out lists and lists of advice as you’re about to leave the nest, but times have changed since they’ve been in school, things are different now. Here are a few pieces of advice to a high school senior from a college senior.

1. Work... A lot

Once you move in for your freshman year, it is likely that you’re not going to have a job. Making friends and going to class becomes your full time job, but all of those late night Starbucks runs will add up. Work as much as you can and save even more, because you don’t want to be that one friend that stays in on Friday night alone with your two dollars.

2. Make as many friends as possible

Becoming BFFs with your roommates is inevitable, but don’t stop there. You’re in a brand new place, but everyone has the same goal: make friends. That girl that sits in front of you in English class? Talk to her. And that other girl that seems to always be waiting at the door 10 minutes early with you? Get her number. You’ll undoubtedly have a question about an assignment at some point in the semester, and you could very easily meet a new friend that way.

3. Hug your mom

And dad too. They may have been a pain in the butt a few times in the past 18 years, but they’ve raised you and they don’t want to see you go. When all of the dorm room shopping and registering for classes gets all too exciting, don’t forget about them.

4. Don't forget about your high school friends

You’ve probably been friends with most of them since you sat next to each other on the alphabet carpet in preschool. Make sure you get your time in while you can over the summer. Once you go away, call them once a week and text them more often. Long distance friendships may require some effort, make it makes them all more worthwhile when you come back together over Thanksgiving break. You’ll love hearing their stories!

5. Start the job search

The last thing you want to hear before you enter your freshman year of college is that you need to start preparing for the real world, but don’t wait. Start typing up your resume and load it up with clubs, activities, and experiences. Start the official search your junior year.

6. Join as many clubs as you can

You never know what will you’ll be into. Test the waters your freshman year and limit yourself the next year. This is a great way to find your place.

7. Set goals

It’s important to have an idea of what you want to do with your life, but even more important to work toward it. Write down things that you’re interested and ideas of careers you might enjoy. Refer to it and edit it as you become more experienced.

8. Have fun

The taste of freedom is too much to pass up. Have fun, make friends, but never forget why you’re there in the first place.