Dear High School Seniors,

It's your last semester of high school which is a really exciting period in your life. Before you know it, you'll be walking across that stage to get your diploma at graduation. I know that this semester is stressful and that you can't wait to leave, but don't let the last semester go by so fast.

College applications are stressful, but you will get through them! As you are sitting there dreading writing that one last essay, just remember you are one step closer to finding your future home. It's also okay to not know where you are going to go to school right now. You might feel the push with everybody posting pictures of their acceptance letters or putting their college names in their Instagram bio, but your time will come. Also, please know that rejection letters are okay. Everything happens for a reason, and just because a college says no doesn't mean the world is going to end. When one door closes another one opens, so that rejection letter has opened a new door to possibly your future home.

Don't skip out on the school dances. Senior year Sadie Hawkins and prom are some of the last events where you and your high school friends get to get ready together, wear fancy gowns or summer dresses and take pictures together while creating memories that will last forever. If you don't have a date, still go because you are hanging out with your best friends before you guys go your separate ways. Attend most of the sporting events that you can, even go to the events that you've never been to. Go cheer on the ultimate frisbee team, or go see the theater department's new musical. You have nothing to lose attending these events, and you get to support your school.

Still go to class, please. Your grades still matter even though you might have already committed to a college. Also, take advantage of the easy classes where you get to watch movies or the days when you can just hang with your friends and discuss prom dresses. Your high school teachers are wise and, especially around this time, they have a lot of advice to give you that you actually want to hear. By going to class, you will also have a great attendance record that will come in handy when you want to exempt finals.

You might not realize this, but this is a hard time for your parents as well, so don't blow them off. You've lived under their roof for most of your 18 years and they aren't ready to let you go. In just a few months, you will be leaving them, and trust me, you are going to miss them a lot more than you think. Stay in sometimes for family dinner or for family game night because it would make their day more than you can imagine. Also, don't forget about your siblings because as much as y'all bicker you are going to miss having them around. Spend as much time with your friends as you can because before you know it, you'll be helping each other pack-up each other's cars and head off to college. Be supportive of each other through out this big stepping stone because everybody needs support.

Lastly, have fun. This is your semester to make your mark on your high school. Run for prom court or try out for the spring musical because this is the time to have fun. Plan Spring Break with your friends; plan the best prom group ever, and remember that with everything going on you can still have free time. These last few months are going to fly by so take advantage of every single minute that you can.