Dear HS Senior with Senioritis,

You are coming to the end of your senior year. You have most likely chosen your college, bought the necessary gear, and have proclaimed it to Facebook for all to see. Your teachers have probably told you how certain things “won’t fly” with college professors, and you are excited to get out of your high school prison. As a sophomore in college, having completed my freshman year, I would like to caution you on a few things for when you leave.

For those of you going to an away school, when you first move in, you probably won’t miss home. You’ll be so into your new college life that once your parents move you in, you’ll go explore campus like I first did. It will all be so surreal, enjoy it as long as you can. About three weeks in is when you will start missing home, but I urge you to make it at least a month on your own before you go back to visit. This is only because making it a month on my own helped me rationalize going back to school after my visit home. I knew I had started a life of my own and I wanted to go back. Try to not let homesickness invade your college experience.

People will say that the first year of college will be the easiest. Although this is true, it doesn’t mean the year itself is easy. College classes are not like high school classes at all. They can be extremely short or extremely long. This year alone I have classes that are 50 minutes, and classes that are four hours. Don’t let this frighten you, it all depends on your major, and what interests you. My four hour class is enjoyable because it's something I’m interested in… you’ll see when you get to your college.

Cherish your downtime. There will be much time spent in the library, or in your main university center. These days you might have multiple classes, a few coffees, and some 8ams you regret scheduling. When you get any downtime, take advantage of naps. Naps will be your best friend in the world. There will be some nights that you will be up till the crack of dawn, and naps is what will get you through all of that.

Be excited seniors! Have your senioritis, and get ready for college, it will be some amazing years of your life. Don’t get discouraged when it gets too hard, because you’ll be able to handle it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from another student, an advisor, or your RA. College is an amazing experience full of adventures, a new understanding of people and your generation, but most importantly it is an understanding of yourself.