Hey sis,
Even though you’re only one year younger than me, you’re still my baby sister. It’s both easy and hard to believe that you’re already starting your second semester of senior year. Soon, you’ll be away at college too, so learn from my mistakes and I’m positive you’ll thrive like I know you can.
First, don’t try to make your last few months of high school go by any quicker than they already are. I know you want to leave home and have your freedom, but you’re going to miss the small things, like movie nights with your friends, high school football games and sneaking off campus for lunch as juniors. Take more photos with your friends, and spend more time with mom and dad. Trust me, senior year will be over in the blink of an eye, and you’ll regret not spending more time with the people you love. I’ve had moments in my dorm room where I thought back to family dinners around the kitchen island, even though you and Joshua were always bickering (you’ll miss him, even if you won’t admit it).
Second, don’t think college is all fun and games. Believe me, I didn’t know what to do with all the time I had on my hands, and I realized too late that most of your free time should be spent studying. Don’t get me wrong. Go out and have fun! Make new friends and explore the college scene. Just be sure to have your priorities in check. You won’t believe how many times I’ve thought to myself “if I just didn’t go out that one day…” I’m trying not to sound like mom here, but it’s true. You’ll thank me, and her, later.
On that note, just because it’s second semester doesn’t mean you can start slacking off in school just yet. Until college acceptance letters start rolling out, schools are still looking at your grades, so be careful. When you do commit to a college, go out and celebrate, because it really does mark the beginning of the end. Once you realize that you and your friends will be separating within the next few months, tears will be shed and new memories will be made. But that just makes the holiday reunions even more special.
And as far as college admission goes, don’t feel bad when you receive a rejection letter. Yeah, it sucks. But when you’re in your first week of college, you’ll realize you’re at the school that’s meant for you.
Whatever college you do end up attending, I know you’ll thrive. Preferably, I’d like you to be at UT with me, but I know that’s not your first choice. Can you imagine sharing a closet again? It’ll be just like old times. You may not want to admit it now, but you’re going to miss me, even more than I know you do now (just acknowledge it, sis). I have no problem confessing that I do miss you, quite a bit actually. I go to school pretty close to home, and I see you so often it’s like I never even left. But once you’re away, too, things will start to change.
Just know that I’ll be there for you when you have your first college crush. I’ll be there for you when you gain the freshman 15 (hey, we all go through it). I’ll be there when you fail your first exam. But even through the bad, I’ll be there for you during the good times, like when you get all A’s at the end of the semester, when you join your first school organization, and eventually I’ll be there when you graduate. You’ll still always be my little sister.
I’m just one Face Time call away.
Your best friend,
Alexis
P.S. I cried writing this, so I expect you to cry as your read this. Love you.
