Dear high schooler,

I know how you are feeling right now. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Stressed. Excited. Ready for something new. Ready to put high school behind you. These are just a few of the emotions I know you are going through right now. I know this because I was once in your place not too long ago. Whether you are a freshman or a senior or somewhere in between, this letter is for you.

High school is an awkward time. You want to be an adult and be on your own. You want to see what it is like to not have to worry about parents and make your own rules. High school is a time where you get to become a little bit more independent and on your own, but a time where you also long for something more. Something like college. And you know what? You are completely right to long for something more. College is amazing. College is more than I ever could have imagined or asked for. College is like nothing else. But so is high school. I know, that sounds crazy. High school seems like a time of living with your parents, fighting about curfews, begging your friends to help you get out of being grounded, and so much more that you don’t want to do. This is all true, but once you hit college, your world turns completely upside down. Some of it is upside down for the better, and some of it is upside down for the worse. So, high school student, here are my wishes for you.

I wish that you find your people. You know, the people you can really, truly share everything with. The people that will pick you up from a party at 2 a.m. when you don’t feel comfortable. The people that will have your back when your parents get upset at you for going to that party. The people that will laugh with you when all you want to do is cry. These people are the important ones. It doesn’t matter how many you have. It just matters that you have someone, anyone, to be your person. What would Meredith Grey be like without Cristina? Find the Meredith to your Cristina, or the Cristina to your Meredith.

Next, I wish that you connect with some of your teachers. Yeah, this may sound strange, but some of the best people I knew in high school were my teachers. Learning how to make connections with your teachers in high school will help you so much in college when you are in a big lecture and want to find a way to stand out. Learn to get to know who your teachers are. They are actually pretty amazing people. You know how they say not everyone can be a doctor? Well, the bigger challenge, to me, is being a teacher, with the long hours, sometimes unruly students, and low pay. It really does take a village.

I also wish that you get close with your parents and your family. Whether you are an only child like me, or one of five children, spending some quality time with your parents is time you will never forget. The time I spent with my family before going to college is some of the best time of my life. There is something about being at college that makes you cherish those minutes and days you got to spend time with your dad watching golf or with your mom running errands. Even if it isn’t something you want to do, spend time with your family. They too are pretty amazing people.

On a more studious note, my last wish for you is to figure out the ways you learn and study best. High school is great because for a lot of classes you can get away with little or no studying. You do the homework, and you are ready for the tests. College is different. Yes, college is easier because you get to choose your classes and you aren’t stuck in a classroom from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., unless you choose to, but it is harder. Studying is a necessity, and going into college with your study methods down will help you enormously.

College is such an amazing time, and you really will love it, but for now, enjoy high school. Try to enjoy where you are at. Whether you are loving high school or hating it, it all gets better, I promise. So, for now, enjoy what you are doing and who you are doing it with. There is no better time than the present!

XoXo,

A college student