Just like that, four years has flown by. You walk across the stage hoping not to fall on your face as you receive one of the biggest accomplishments you have yet receive, your high school diploma. This, of course, does not only recognize four years of higher education, but it also represents all of the years of preparation and hard work prior to earning your diploma. You have already come so far in your life only to start a brand new chapter, college.
No longer will you be able to see your best friends on a daily basis. No longer will you have your lunch made by your mom every day. No longer will you have your whole entire life figured out for you.
Saying "goodbye" is easy, right? I mean after all, you've been through this multiple times when signing the typical "Have a great summer!" in everyone's yearbook. Well, this is a bit different. It's only until about a week before your first semester of college where you start to realize that your life is about to drastically change, and not in a bad way. Change is great, but you have to remember that everyone copes with change differently.
As things change, we need to remember what has brought us up to this new point in our lives. We need to appreciate the friends and family that have shaped us into who we are today. So as you start to approach your final days of your pre-adult life, start to appreciate what it is that you have because, in a few days, you won't be around that same environment anymore.
Now, I am not saying that this is an end to everything you have come to love in your life, however, it is a beginning to bring new things to what you already love. This new chapter is going to be great, trust me. You just need to make sure that each new page that you write in this chapter is the best writing that you have done in your life because these next few years of your life will ultimately make or break your future. College is awesome, that is something that I cannot disagree with, but while all of this change is going on, don't forget the reason as to why you're here. Find your home away from home (whether it be Greek Life, Student Government, Band, Intramurals, etc.), but don't get carried away with it. I have seen so many people get carried away in chaos and in return, make huge mistakes that hurt no one but themselves. Enjoy your time, put in your best effort, but also make the best out of these next four years, because you're definitely in for a ride.
