Dear High School babies,

I've missed you too! I'm so proud of you! Yes, of course we will have time to hang out! You look so much older! Do I look like a cool college kid (please say yes)? I just got home from one of the best (and hardest) years of my life, so whether you're starting college in the fall or you still have some time left in high school listen up, because Mama has got the deets on college life. Here are some tips to get ready for and get through that first year!

1. Planning your dorm.

Buy things for your dorm through the entire summer. Don't try to plan your dorm all at once or think about just moving everything in your bedroom. Take the summer to organize, clean and minimize. Check out different tips for packing and moving in and lists of what you really need for your dorm. I had my bed set, desk supplies, yoga props and wall art. This is such a great time to make changes along with this huge transition, so going for a little minimalism is a great idea.

2. Get involved.

Any tip list you read will tell you to get involved. Have something outside of your classes that you are passionate about. I found the Peer Education Team the first week of classes, and I fell in love with that office and that program. Universities and colleges are so diverse that you can find exactly what you love or you can find something new. Getting involved will give you friends, hobbies, events to look forward to, networking opportunities and memories to keep forever. Read about sororities/fraternities from blogs or friends to see if you're interested at all. Greek life is not for everyone, and that is totally cool. Seriously consider continuing your music or athletic career on campus even if it's just intramural. Try to be open about your possibilities but have a goal to be involved in at least one organization that makes you happy. Studies have continually shown that great student investment in campus organizations and events is directly correlated to greater academic success and investment in the institution.

3. Have pride in your space.

It's the first time no one is making you do the dishes so you're actually inclined to do them. This semi-independence will make you so much more responsible for your space, so cleaning will actually be a thing that you do; don't be the dirty room/suite mate. Keep your desk organized so that you can actually work at it without being distracted by clutter. Make your bed! I once read a blog where a girl was explaining that having more pride in your space — making your bed, keeping your desk clean — makes you enjoy that space so much more. Enjoying your new room and keeping it functional and comfortable is so much easier if you just take five minutes a day to declutter and make your bed. Once every week or so you can Windex those mirrors or scrub that toilet just to keep everything fresh. We won't talk about laundry (Hint: you'll still wear your last pair of underwear before you start a load).

4. Take care of yourself.

Sleep. Don't eat ramen every night. Hydrate — you can pretend to be a cool athlete that has to carry around a gallon jug of water everywhere (those people exist in large numbers). Don't drink too much alcohol, or too frequently. Get tested for STIs after each partner — its easy, just go to your campus clinic. STIs are a big deal, preventing them isn't. Keep a huge bottle of Germ-X in your room and when you feel a cold coming on, stop everything and get better as soon as possible. Getting sick is the official worst thing ever in college so down some Emergen-C and rest your throat. If you're having issues with anxiety or some personal stuff — your first year is a big change and it brings up a lot of stuff —check out the psychological services on campus. FAU offers free appointments to students and there are groups for anxiety. One survey in 2008 found that 80 percent of students experienced daily stress, 13 percent of them being diagnosed with mental disorder. Anxiety can also be coupled with eating disorders so keep that in mind and watch out if you see yourself slipping into a fear of the Freshman 15. Your mental, physical, and emotional health are so important and so linked to each other that you have to take care of every facet of your being. You are living independently and you are your number one priority. Remember that coffee is the only thing you can't have in excess.

5. Take your classes seriously.

Don't get behind or skip class to much. You are there for the college experience but you are paying a lot of money to end of with that degree and you have to put in the work. Don't worry too much about your major or your 30-year-plan, just pass your classes with a GPA you can be comfortable with, but also remember that GPA isn't everything. Except for your scholarships that depend on GPA, it really is not worth stressing about. Your campus should have lots of resources for class advising and tutoring, even paper editing, so take advantage and never be afraid to ask for help!

6. Don't fall too deep into self-deprecating humor.

We young people of the Internet age love memes about our own demise. Turning your "misery" into humor is a great coping technique on one hand but on the other hand it reinforces or adds to how miserable you are or think you are. Enjoy the memes and vines. Feel good about never being the only poor college kid in the room — no one is judging you when your card is declined because every student in line behind you at DD has just enough money on their card for a No. 4 combo. Just don't let it seep into you and surround you. Thoughts become things, so err on the positive side of thinking. "You can change the world if you change your mind."

OK, so that is enough corny motivation, and my list is pretty broad but basically if you use your resources and do a lot of self-care, you can slay this first year of college. All of you not graduating this year should apply to Florida Atlantic University this fall because we have amazing staff, professors, programs, and an amazing campus and you should come to school in paradise with me! Kisses to all of my Escambia Gators! I'm so excited for you to start this next adventure! I promise it is amazing!

Love,

Your yogi band geek teammate classmate

Go Owls!