Dear Self,

I'm going to tell you now that college is going to be nothing that you expect it to be. You've planned and planned, and nothing happens exactly the way we want it to. Don't worry though, because everything is going to work out perfectly fine. I'm going to let you in on a few tips and tricks that will make your first year at college a bit easier and less stressful.

The first thing you need to remember is to not force friendships. I know you have it all planned out. You know who your best friends are going to be and you've imagined all the great times you'll have together. Sorry to disappoint you, but those people aren't going to be your friends. So please don't try and force those friendships during the first few weeks of college, you'll just make it more awkward. Be cordial when you see them, but don't let them get to you. The people you do meet and make connections with are much more important.

Next, things are going to change. I bet you already knew that, but I'm just telling you now that it's going to be stressful. When you get scared or overwhelmed, just take a step back and breathe. Change can be scary, but not all change is bad. You and those around you are going to grow up a lot, but those who are meant to will stick by you through it all. Try to look for the positives in every situation, and know that it'll all work out in the end.

Unfortunately, you're going to lose touch with a lot of people from senior year. Not in the sense that you aren't friends anymore, but it will surprise you who decides not to text you during the first week at college to see how you're doing (or ask at all how you're doing any point during the year). The group you've been closest to all your life will change, and you'll find that maybe you weren't as close to some of them as you thought. Just pay attention to those who are happy to see you when you stop in for a visit, because those are the ones who really care.

Going along with that, you're really going to miss what you're leaving behind for college, but you are also going to find your place here too, so don't worry. It is perfectly okay to miss what you've left behind, and I wish I could tell you that feeling will subside, but it hasn't yet. All I can tell you is that it's OK to feel this way!

Learn to have a balance. Put school first. Go to events, even the ones you think sound weird and none of your friends are going. Drive home one night and surprise your parents. Have a date night with your boyfriend. Make time to build the new friendships you will make at school and keep in touch with those that are far away. Balancing all of that is hard, but really trying to and getting used to it will make everything a lot easier in the long run.

Lastly, I want to tell you that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. You got involved, stepped out of your comfort zone, while staying true to who you are. You faced change with an open mind and everything turned out OK!