To the high school senior you once were,

Today marks almost two months of being in college. Two months away from your family, your friends, and everything you've ever known. From this perspective, you've learned quite a few things about your life back home.

Your hometown may feel mundane and you may be "so over it," but cherish it while you can. The memories of the late-night conference calls, car-ride jam seshes with your best friend, and the deep talks with your mom on the way to school will be the things that keep you going when things get lonely in college. Smile at the bitchy girls in the hallway and don't let them dull your sparkle. You'd be surprised at how effective karma can be. Besides, they aren't worth your thoughts anyway.

The sooner you realize that this is the end, the faster you can start making the most of it. Don't waste your time on people or things that aren't making you happy. Anything that causes you too much stress isn't worth it. It's your senior year, make sure you enjoy it. High school isn't coming back.

When you think about your friends and what to take away from high school remember this: don't force relationships. Some relationships have a deadline, others do not. The only way to find out which ones are which is to wait it out. I will say this though: if some people leave, let them, and if some people fade, let them. When you are sitting in college hundreds of miles away, you're not going to want to call the friends who make you feel like an obligation anyway. Instead, be open to the people who do want to stay in your life. There are very few people who will go out of their way to make sure that you are ok and happy and comfortable. These are the people who will keep you grounded when it feels like you are losing yourself. Hold on to them.

When it comes to college decisions, go with your gut. It will hurt like a bitch when you get rejected from your dream school, but you will end up where you need to go, so don't stress too much. This is the next big part of your life. College is not just where you are going to school. It's also where you're going to live for the next four years and where you are going to meet your best friends and maybe even the love of your life. It's where you are going to explore new parts of yourself and delve into interests you didn't even know were an option back home. Your hometown may have been where you were raised, but college is where you truly grow up. It's where you see the effects of the last 18 years of your life and determine which of those lessons you've learned you intend to take to heart. When you make your decision, be aware of what it means for your growth as a person, not just as a student or as a professional. Take the risk, see where it leads you. Get out of your comfort zone and figure out who you are outside of the bubble you grew up in. You'll thank yourself later.

Love,

Someone I hope you are proud of