Dear senior,

I know how you are feeling a million different emotions right now as you are about to take on probably the biggest change you have faced in your life thus far. As you walk the halls with the people you’ve known for the last 12 years of your life, there are some things to keep in mind.

You are going to be nervous.

No matter how badly you wanted to leave high school, some part of you is going to be beyond nervous because you are not sure what the future holds and you may be afraid for the change that is about to occur in your life. I want to tell you that although this change may be a big one, it is definitely the best change of your life. Half the battle is just accepting that things will change. Obviously, you’re going to be living at a different place, away from your parents and friends with a whole newfound freedom. But along with all of that, you are going to meet people some of your lifelong best friends, the people that make you question how you lived the last 18 years of your life without them. You are going to create the most unbelievable experiences and memories with people who were absolute strangers a few months ago. You’re going to branch out, try new foods, go on adventures you never even knew were possible and most of all…

You are going to find yourself.

The transition from high school to college can be very daunting and scary, especially if you are moving far away to a school where you may not know anyone yet. The first few weeks are probably going to be rough, just remember that you are not along, the first few weeks are difficult for everyone. It is a huge adjustment, living in a cinderblock cube, not knowing every face you pass on the way to class and struggling to find one decent meal at the dining hall. Just know that everyone is making the same adjustment and you will find your friends and you will adjust before you know it. With all of the new beginnings, you are about to face, you will come to find yourself. The person you were destined to be. Once you leave everything you’ve known for the last 18 years, you are forced to find yourself, and it is a really great thing. You may discover new hobbies and take risks that you would never have before this. You may even find that you actually enjoy sushi after swearing it off for the last 18 years of your life. Speaking from personal experience, you never know what is possible once you find who you truly are.

You are going to grow more in the next year of your life then you have in the past 12.

Graduating high school and heading off to college will literally be life-changing. In the next 3 months, you will find yourself finally packing up everything that has slowly been accumulating throughout your house. You would have never known how much meaning some bedding, snacks, bathroom supplies and an unnecessary amount of room décor could hold. Packing all of this away means you are finally moving on to the next chapter of your life, and it will be an amazing change if you let it. You are going to meet some of the best people in your life and you are going to finally be able to dive into topics and classes you absolutely love. You are going to find yourself growing into the person you have always dreamed of. Once you leave your hometown, it is amazing how you can grow in a new environment and learn from people all over the state and maybe even the country. You will be given once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and I hope you take advantage of each and every one of them.

Just remember that although there may be some tears, fears, and doubts in the first few weeks, you are going to have an amazing first year and you are 100% ready for this transition. I wish you all the best and I hope you do amazing things.

Sincerely,

A girl just like you