Dear high school senior,

Congratulations are in order. You have reached the end of your high school career. That’s something to be proud of.

You are now about to reach a point of shock. It will hit you that you will no longer be a student of your high school or walk the halls of that building seeing the oh-so-familiar faces of the teachers you’ve come to know over the last four years. You will no longer be able to walk to class with your best friend and hear all the new gossip. You will no longer have your own locker to run to in between classes when you need to get to your secret stash of gum.

Life as you know it will change drastically.

Are you ready?

I’ll answer that for you… Yes. One chapter of your life is ending, yes, but another great one is beginning. For some, it is a thrill knowing they will never have to suffer through another class period. For others, the mere thought of high school ending rips their heart out of their chest. Whichever category you fall in, please know that what’s to come is great.

Though I only have one year under my belt, I can vouch for the fact that college is awesome. You will finally be learning things that are worth your time, rather than sitting through that tireless calculus class asking, “When will I ever use this in real life?” Now you will actually learn things about the field that you want to work in for the rest of your life. How cool is that?

Aside from the learning aspect, your social life will do a complete 180. You will meet so many new people. At some point, you will find the place just right for you. Now is the time that you get to be exactly who you want to be. You won’t be under the microscope of your high school, where everyone there knows every move you make. You will gain that freedom to be you. Again, it is pretty cool if you ask me.

Sure, it all seems pretty scary, intimidating and overwhelming. But everyone feels the same exact way. Everyone you meet is in the same boat as you, so you’re never alone.

This new chapter will definitely be a big adjustment, especially if you will no longer be living at home. You will learn to appreciate those calls from Mom and emails from Grandma. It’s the little things that will keep you connected to home. Mentioning home, you are also about to learn how to keep your friends. Maybe some will fade away as life goes on, but there are others that will stick with you through it everything. It may not always be easy, but it’s all about the effort. In some friendships, you may even be able to go weeks without talking, but the moment you’re together, it’s as if nothing changes.

As in every part of your life, though, college is all that you make it. You decide whether you have a blast or are miserable for those four years. The most essential advice I can give to you is to be open to the experience and all that comes along with it. It will be worth it.

Sincerely,

A college student