I wanted to devote a few words to all my lovely high school seniors. Although I was in your place last year, it seems like forever ago that I walked the halls with all my free textbooks (you’ll learn that’s a blessing next year) and had time to socialize with my friends. To be honest, I completely regret a lot of the decisions I made my senior year and I have learned that I am paying the consequences now.

Now I don’t want you to be afraid! Senior year should be fun and you shouldn’t structure it completely. Most of your greatest memories are born in the moments you have no idea what the hell you are doing and act on spontaneity. But, there are always a couple of things you should consider.

I guess I shouldn’t say I completely regret the decisions I made in high school, but it would be an understatement to say I don’t carry them with me today. You are about to enter a completely different phase in your life, so I encourage you to take the time to enjoy the end of an era. Go out. Get involved. Not only will you take away some pretty awesome memories, you will learn a little bit more about yourself in the process.

When I was in high school, my social life was basically non-existent. To be honest, I didn’t go to a single high school party. I was the girl who took honors and AP classes, cared way too much to let myself have fun, and had to be the best at everything. Yes, my resume looks a lot better because of it, but I found myself entering college resentful of my high school to the point where I graduated a semester early just to get away. I haven’t looked back a day since until now.

The truth is you need your high school. You need those memories to comfort you while you’re in the real world. You are all in this together, and it will help you knowing that you have that relationship with your graduating class. I keep in touch with a couple of my high school friends, but our interactions are confined to a Snapchat here or there, or the meaningless like of a Facebook post. High school truly gives you a community without effort. Use that to your advantage.

My other piece of advice is embrace the fact that you have no idea what you want to do. If you are the planning type and already know exactly what college you’re attending and have declared a major, give yourself a little flexibility. You will find that even over the summer, your views of the world as a graduate will completely change. Most of our interests are attributed to what we experience in high school. Once you break free of that mold, you have a world of possibilities to sort through and it’s nice to experience that with an open mind.

My senior year, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wore blinders and shielded all my opportunities and now find myself regretting my decision. Let yourself be confused, let yourself wonder what else is out there for you. Apply to colleges in-state, apply to colleges across the country. Over the summer, my idea of college dramatically changed and I have paid the price ever since.

It is perfectly fine to change your mind. Like I mentioned above, I regret my decision, but it taught me a lot. It is okay to take a year to figure out exactly what you want. My outlook on my freshman year in college has turned from bitter to grateful because I have learned so much by letting myself struggle. You are only 18. It’s impossible to predict where you’ll end up in a couple of years.

Your senior year is about building a community with your school and providing each other with endless support to get through this process. It’s about letting yourself mess up a couple of times. Just don’t confine yourself to one specific path. Unite, explore and enjoy. You have so much to look forward to but don’t be afraid to look back.