To the sweet class of 2018,

Welcome to your senior year, something I would easily consider as the best year of your life so far. I understand at this particular moment, you aren't too happy with the million applications you are being expected to complete and the fact that not all of your college choices are on the common app.

Your mind is excitedly anticipating prom, graduation, parties, and college. You are saying to yourself that your senioritis couldn't possibly get any worse and that you absolutely cannot wait to get out. You are probably frustrated that every party is the "same old people" and cannot wait to escape to a completely new place.

But I ask that you take a moment to stop and a moment to breathe. All will be well and the end is near. The faster you wish it away, the faster you will be exactly where I am right now.

High school is a time to live your life to the fullest and appreciate all that is close to you. Trust me, those home-cooked meals will be missed more than you know. Right now you are most likely living in a house with people who cannot love you more than they already do. You are friends with people who know you, all the way down to your deepest secrets. They not only know your most embarrassing moments but probably also played a large role in creating them.

You are surrounded by the people who know when your favorite song comes on the radio, know where your favorite place to eat is, and can tell when you really need them despite if you say you're okay. You are hanging out with the same 15 people that you have been for years and are making some of the best memories of your life with them.

Trust me when I tell you that these familiar feelings of home will quickly become a memory of the past. Things such as the way your bed feels after you've had a long day at school, the placement of your favorite snacks on the top left shelf pantry, and your favorite ice cream flavor in the freezer. The way your mom looks after she comes home from work. The way that your seat at the dinner table feels.

The sound of the song that you and all of your friends go crazy for at any school function. The feeling when your home sports team wins a game and you all storm the field screaming with more excitement and adrenaline than you have ever experienced before. The nerves that you feel when the kid that you have liked for years gives you any bit of attention. The inside jokes that only you and your friends know and think are funny.

So here you are experiencing the "last" of everything.

Your last school dance. Enjoy the efforts that your teachers have made, with streamers and balloons, to make the gym look nice. Take pictures with everybody. Dance the entire night. Drive to and from the dance in a car full of your silliest friends who will make you laugh so hard you cry.

Your last school traditions. For my school, in particular, we used to sit around the Christmas tree on the last day before winter break and sing carols together. Trust me, by the time I was a senior I thought it was ridiculous too. But remind yourself it's not. Take it all in and love every minute of it. Document the moment with as many pictures and videos as you can.

Your last prom. Your final hoorah with your graduating class. Stop stressing about the fact that your dress doesn't fit exactly how you wanted to, and how your hair isn't perfect. It won't matter tomorrow. Enjoy it. Dance with the people you don't know. Sing as loudly as you possible can.

And finally graduation. Look around. Remember the faces of the people who shaped you into the person you are today. Walk across the stage with confidence and pride because you earned it. Thank your teachers and friends. Hug your mom and dad.

Trust me, college is fun. You'll meet amazing people and learn incredible things.

However, enjoy the moments that you are living right now. Nothing will ever replace the memories you have made at home with the people that you love. You cannot slow down time but you can remember to take it all in.

With love,

A freshman a college