Hey sis,

College, huh? It's weird to think I'm not going to be the only one calling mom and dad for money now and even more, mind blowing you made it this far. Growing up, me going to college was always far fetched, but you? The little sister three years younger than me? The one who could not order a pizza by herself, setting off to a new territory, now that is weird.

It's going to be scary, and when I say scary I don't mean "monsters under the bed, or scared of the dark scary" it is going to be what the hell am I doing with my life scary. You're going to sit in a class or take an exam and think to yourself "This is hard." You're going to wonder why you didn't study harder or why you thought going out on Tuesday was a good idea – but that is when you don't make the same mistake twice. I'm not going to pretend like I know how to work this college thing, and I'm not going to pretend I ever pass up a tequila Tuesday, but I am going to try to part my slender bit of wisdom on you. Take your classes seriously, and don't think anything is above you – I wish I took my freshmen year GPA more seriously.

It's going to be overwhelming. You're going to wish it would all slow down sometimes. You're going to go from eating in the dining hall, to moving into an apartment freshmen year, to declaring your major junior year to thinking "Where did it all go" senior year. With that being said, I'm begging you to embrace it. When you're homesick as hell, annoyed with your roommates, confused as to why you ran into your ex 45 times that day and broke – remember why you're there. No boy, no friend, no grade, no professor is worth making you think twice about your education.

It's going to be a little too much fun. You're on your own now – and we've upgraded from hiding our vodka in closets, to the norm being drinking in the open.

I'm begging: take. it. slow.

There is always going to be another Tuesday at your favorite bar or another birthday pregame. Newsflash, there is four formals a year and probably many more dated functions on top of that – rushing to do it all and going 100 miles an hour is not safe and or healthy. Let the good times come to you. Please never feel like you're forced to do anything. Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure is not as "pressuring" as one may think, and you're a lot more respected when you hold your ground opposed to giving in. Drugs aren't funny – they ruin your life.

The unknown is the best part of college. Everyone jokes about how I changed when I went to college but I become myself and stood taller in everything I believed in and I know you'll do the same. Hold your head high to what you believe in. Know when to say no, but also know when you're saying no because you're staying in your comfort zone and that's when you say yes. Become someone, someone bigger than yourself. Enjoy your four years – they fly by.

Love,

Your sister