Congratulations, everyone! You've made it through four (maybe more) years of undergrad and are heading out to a new adventure!

Before you pack up your life from the past few years and book your flights to far off places, I would like to leave you with some thoughts, well wishes and maybe some advice too.

First of all, I am so proud of each and every one of you. You made it past all those late nights, those early and painfully difficult mornings. All the papers, all the exams are behind you and a new world of adventure awaits you. If you're heading to graduate school, then sure, maybe you're not quite past the massive amounts of work, but you've made some major strides.

Maybe you're not certain of what your future holds yet, and that's OK. I'm sure the idea of "the rest of your life" is daunting, but look, I know you're going to make it big.

To everyone who is graduating, you are taking with you the memories, friendships, and hearts of dozens - if not hundreds - of people. You are leaving your mark on your school, and everyone that you ever interacted with while you attended.

Maybe you bounced around at a few schools before landing where you are today. Maybe you've been here since day one. All that matters is that while you were here, you made a difference, and you will be so, so missed.

But don't let your experience in the past few years hold you back from a life of adventure. If you are not pursuing graduate school, then for the first time in your life (maybe) you are about to not be a student. Isn't that crazy?

For the first time in a long time, you have a new sense of freedom, a new sense of adventure. Yes, from what I've heard, being a twenty-something isn't the best era of our lives, but I think you can fight that stereotype and make it count. Sure, you might be living in a run-down apartment and eating TV dinners for a few more years, but heck, who cares? You can spend the remainder of your twenties finding adventure.

And adventure doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of a plane ticket and a suitcase. It can come in the form of finding a new coffee shop, or painting a room all by yourself for the first time. Adventure can come with you finding yourself.

For those of you attending graduate school, don't you think for a second that your adventure has yet to begin - because you are one yourself. Remember when you entered college? You probably floated around for a little while before finding your passion, turning it into a major and making sense of yourself. Well, now as a graduate student you are choosing to continue that passion, and this time there's no awkward phase of not knowing what's going on in life. You're older, smarter and better prepared for another few years of being a student, and that in and of itself is an adventure.

If you are looking at the calendar and realizing that graduation is less than a month away, but you still have no clue what you'll be doing once you walk across that stage is over, trust me, that's OK, too. Nature has a funny way of blooming at the exact right time, and you are a part of nature so your time will come, don't worry.

While you're out there, doing whatever it is that is meant for you, please keep a few things in mind.

Remember that you don't have to please everyone. Remember that it is your life, and you should live it to your own will.

Remember that money isn't everything.

Remember where you came from. Remember it's OK to ask for help.

Remember that sometimes we have to get through the tough times in order to enjoy the good ones.

Remember that it's OK to change your mind. It's OK to fail. It's OK to be uncertain. It's OK to be afraid.

Remember, don't take candy from strangers - and candy doesn't just mean KitKats and M&Ms anymore.

But most of all, remember to keep smiling, because although a big part of your life is coming to an end, an even bigger part is about to start.

Congratulations graduates! You're going to make it big. I can feel it.