Today I realized I was getting old. No, it’s not the fact that I am going to be a senior in college. No, it’s not the fact that I work a nine-to-five job. No, it’s not the fact that I complain about my knee pain on a regular basis.

It’s the fact that I realized I start my senior year of college in a week, and my little brother will be a freshman in college.

This fact hit me in the face harder than JJ smacked himself in the face the on "The Bachelorette." The Levine Dynasty at Pine Crest School is over, my parents are officially empty-nesters, and I am entering my senior year of college. How?

Thinking back on how scared I was for my first day of class in college, I decided I wanted to compile a list of things I wish I'd known before entering the big bad college world like a deer in headlights.

So, freshmen, this is for you.

1. Be yourself.

I know how cliche this sounds. “Be yourself, everyone will love the authentic you,” said every guidance counselor/parent ever. But for real. You will be so much happier once you decide to become comfortable with the real you. If you try to become who people want you to be and are not fully yourself, one day you will wake up and realize you hate your life.

2. Age does not matter. Be friends with who you want to be friends with.

In high school, there aren’t many cross-grade friendships. In college, those are some of my strongest friendships. These are some of the people that I can depend on no matter what. These friendships are truly irreplaceable, and I am so beyond grateful for them.

I remember being relieved when the grade above me graduated high school, but this year, I bawled like a baby as I watched a majority of my best friends cross that stage.

It’s not weird to text someone who is a grade or two older than you are asking to get dinner or just to life chat. This is how you make those friends who will be drunk crying at your wedding. And who doesn’t want that?

3. If you need help, ask for it.

This applies to a lot of things. Class, relationships, making Easy Mac without burning down your dorm… But in all honesty, a lot is going to change in college, and that is a good thing. Seek the help that you need. Go to office hours, talk to your friends about a tough situation, read the instructions on the bowl of Easy Mac (no, but really). Everyone needs help once in a while. This isn’t a bad thing. Also, you are never alone.

4. Things aren’t always going to go as planned.

Not everything is going to be perfect, and that is a beautiful, beautiful thing. The best thing about life is that it is so wonderfully flawed. Without these flaws, you would not be the person you are today. If you fail a test, you will bounce back. If you lose a friendship, you will gain a stronger one. If you drink a little too much, you’ll kill it at the next party. Life has a funny way of working out. Just go along for the ride.

5. Go out of your comfort zone.

The best thing that I have done in college is go out of my comfort zone. In high school, you just carry the same friendships with you through all four years. That is the beautiful thing about college: You gain new, incredible friendships each year. Without breaking out of your comfort zone, you will not be able to experience the incredible environment that college is. Be vulnerable. Be weird. Be goofy. Do you.

Class of 2019, I am so excited for you to start this chapter of your life. You have no idea how great the adventures ahead of you are going to be. Please remember to take a step back and just enjoy these four years because, before you know it, you are going to be that washed-up senior giving freshmen advice.