Dear 2016 High School Graduates,

You are now entering the real world, and I am so proud of all of you for completing yet another milestone in life! I graduated last year, and I want to write to all of you about the things that will change in your life in the coming months. Most of these changes will be for the good, but unfortunately, some things are going to be difficult parting with.

1. Live your last summer before college to the fullest.

This is going to be your very last summer with your friends and family before you go away for three months, and start your new adventures at college. Or for those of you going straight into the workforce, military, etc., this is going to be the last summer to be with your friends who are leaving very soon. Do as many crazy and spontaneous things together that you will cherish forever.

2. Saying see you later.

Once you realize that you only have a few days left of summer, (and you have not packed a thing for college yet, trust me you will not be ready), everything will hit you. You will be going through so many mixed emotions, one minute you will be sad because you are leaving all of your friends who you have grown up with for the past twelve years, but on the other hand, you will be ecstatic to start your new life at a college you could only dream of attending. These last few days are the most important. Make sure that you say see you later to each and every single one of your friends because you all will be experiencing completely new things in your coming months, and it will be hard to keep up with everyone. Make sure your friends know that you are still there for them, and that you want to keep in touch.

3. First week of college.

This is the scariest but best week of your life. You are going to meet hundreds of new people who will change your life. Unlike high school, in college there are absolutely no cliques. No one cares about what others are doing, there is a group of friends that will be just like you, trust me. This is the most important week because since you are meeting all new people, you want to put the real you out for them. Do not try to be someone you are not. You want your friends to like you for who you are. Remember that this is a completely new chapter in your life, and no one knows about you and your past. This is you starting over and creating a new you.

4. Moving on and letting go.

Make the most of the now and do not wait until tomorrow because you never know what tomorrow will bring you. Holding grudges and hate is a loss of precious time that you could be enjoying your life with the ones you love. If someone hurts you, move on and let them go. Why hold onto things that only bring you negativity? When you let go of the negativity and let in the positive, you will truly be happy. Do not let little, petty things hold you back on doing and being what you love. Do what makes you happy because that is what life is about.

5. Do not forget about your past.

You grew up with the people who you graduated with for twelve long, amazing years. You created thousands of memories that you will cherish forever, and you do not have to just have memories with your high school best friend. If you both make an effort to keep your relationship alive, it will last. But, it takes two to make things work. Nothing is better than coming home on break to your childhood best friend and telling them about all of your new friends and memories that you have created that you want them to be apart of.

6. Enjoy the present.

Enjoy every moment you have in college because you will not believe how fast it goes by. You may have thought that high school went by fast, but college is a completely different atmosphere. You are surrounded by friends 24/7, and you have so much free time. The days go by so fast, you will be mind-blown when it is already May and your freshmen year is already over. So, enjoy every moment, say hello to everyone, enjoy every ice cream cone in your school's cafe, and never let the little things ruin big things.