Dear soon to be high school graduates,

First of all, congratulations!

You are about to complete a huge chapter of your life and you should be so proud of all of your accomplishments. High school is such a transformative time and I know that you have been dreaming of graduating for as long as you can remember. How many times have you said, “I can’t wait to leave” and dreamt of moving far away from all the pettiness of high school? But now that the time has come for you to move on to a completely new and unknown phase of your life, it might feel sad and scary. This is such a weird and emotional time; I remember feeling so restless to start my new life as a college student, yet nostalgic and reluctant to leave home. College once seemed like a far away concept and it was so easy to say you were ready to leave, but now that it is here, it feels like you are being shoved out of the comforts of the nest. As someone who has been through this (pretty recently), I am here to help and support you. Here are some things to keep in mind this summer while you prepare to leave for college.

1. Take a deep breath.

It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and scared during this time; it feels like everything you have ever known is suddenly ending and you need to know that it is OK to be nervous. Everyone keeps saying how excited they are to leave, but I promise that no one feels that way all the time. It is perfectly normal to not always feel super enthusiastic about an unknown future. So when you feel anxious, take a deep breath and tell yourself that everything is going to be OK. The future is full of exciting adventures and self-discovery -- the best is yet to come.

2. Enjoy your time living at home.

I guarantee that no matter how you feel about living at home, you will miss it at some point next year. Home is comfortable and familiar; when you start your life at school, it may take a while to find that feeling again. Make sure to appreciate the comforts of living at home with real food, surrounded by people who love you. (Also be sure to enjoy the time that you get to walk around on real carpet and shower without shoes on.)

3. Surround yourself with friends and family.

Going to college means leaving behind old friends and family members. I remember feeling really sad when I left for college because of all the people I would miss, but your true relationships will only get stronger with distance. Make sure to take time this summer to spend quality time with your loved ones and make some memories. I assure you, the time you spend with them will not be wasted.

4. Live in the moment.

This summer is going to feel like you are in limbo -- you are preparing to begin a new chapter of your life while still living as if you are going to continue on in your old one. The most important thing to do this summer is to enjoy it. Go out of your way to create fun memories because they will last you a lifetime.

5. Keep an open mind.

You are on the cusp of a new and exciting time in your life. I can’t wait for you to experience the next chapter and for you to continue to learn and grow. Just know that you have no idea what is about to come and that is so exciting. Keep an open mind about your future and don’t try to plan every step of the way because you cannot imagine what your life will look in a few short months -- embrace the unknown, live in the moment, and enjoy the journey you are about to take.