In high school, I'd always hear that certain things were "preparing me for college". My senior year, my teachers said that they were going to make our work load more similar to a college class. They said that they were tightening policies because "a college professor would never accept the things high school teachers do".
When I got to college, I found that it was nothing like what my high school teachers made it seem like. My high school teachers treated me like I was graduating kindergarten and moving on to a new school. Believe it or not, college professors treat you like actual people instead of five year olds.
You are never truly prepared. You are never ready for the moment that your parents leave and you are living in an unfamiliar place surrounded by faces you've never seen before. It's a scary thought, but it will happen to you.
I don't mean this in a bad way. It seems terrifying, but experiencing all of these things is really has a significant impact on your life. College changes you, but it is one of the best things that'll ever happen to you.
I loved moving in to college. It was crazy and stressful, but living in a building full of people who share your interests and are the same age as you is the coolest thing at first. Going to class for the first time is scary, but then you realize how much your professors act like your friends as well as your teachers.
It's a huge change, but it is worth it. I went into college thinking I was going to be extremely stressed out the whole time. It is not like that. There are times where you'll have five assignments due in one day, but there are also times you won't have any due for weeks. It can go either way. Spoiler alert: finals week is not as crazy as everyone makes it out to be. As long as you work hard the whole semester, your finals will seem just as easy as any other test
Each person has a completely different experience. One person could love your school while the other is transferring. Going into it with a positive attitude will help you love the place that you are living and getting your education.
Take as many AP classes as you want. Read books, articles, and get advice from your older friends. It's easier to go in with an idea of what your new life will be like but I promise you won't actually be ready.
