To the girl about to graduate high school,

First and foremost, congratulations on achieving such a monumental achievement. Graduating high school is no easy task and I commend you sincerely for doing so.

I bet as much as you don't want to admit it, you're a little nervous. I bet that you're afraid of getting lost in the shuffle, or having your friends move on to a great adventure without you, or maybe you don't know exactly what you're doing with your life. Maybe you just broke up with your boyfriend, or still have a boyfriend, or want to break up with your boyfriend, or maybe will be with your boyfriend from home. Maybe everyone is leaving your hometown and everyone else is picking up their bags and moving out. Maybe everyone is staying in your hometown and you already have one eye on the door.

I will be honest with you. Some parts of college really suck. You're going to miss your mom, and your dad, and your sisters, and your dog. You're going to learn what annoying tendencies your roommates have and what tendencies you have that annoys your roommates. You're gonna get too drunk more than once and you're gonna contemplate not drinking ever again each time. You're gonna fall in love and out of love. You're gonna get hurt and hurt other people. You're gonna hate the communal bathrooms. You're gonna stress over a paper that's due. You're gonna fail a test, forget homework, and skip class. You're gonna give up and give in and go out. You're gonna be your only friend to stay in. You're going to debate changing majors, and going to grad school, and dropping out. You're gonna want to escape every once in a while. You're gonna be stressed out more than you're used to. You're going to miss your comfort zone.

I will be honest with you. Some parts of college really suck. But other parts, each individual one compared to the entire mess of sucky ones, are amazing. You're going to cheer on your new team at a sporting event.

You're going to learn to do laundry and write topic sentences.

You're going to learn the right amount of caffeine intake to keep you up all night.

You're going to actually appreciate the look of a made bed.

You're going to get closer to your family members.

You're going to have a great conversation with someone you'll never see again.

You're going to learn how you like to store your underwear and and what side of the bed you like to sleep on.

You're going to meet a professor who will change your course.

You're gonna learn what kind of laundry detergent is your favorite and find a new favorite ice cream place.

You're going to learn things you never thought of before.

You're going to learn how to make one decent meal.

You're going to go on an adventure that you never saw coming.

You're going to have a favorite author and a favorite place to study.

You're going to realize how much bigger the world is than just high school.

You're going to meet friends that will change your life.

You're going to meet your future bridesmaids and if you're lucky you might even meet the love of your life.

You're going to go places you never knew existed.

You're going to stay out so late one night that you see the sun rise and it will make you smile.

You're going to laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh.

You're going to find something you love and it will inspire you.

You're going to change, and grow, and evolve.

You're going to look back at the end of your undergraduate career and wonder where all of the time went.

So buckle up and get ready to be who you've always wanted to become.