So you’ve finally made it: you’re free of the hallowed halls teeming with hormones, gossip, and never-ending rules. You think you’re invincible now that you have that high school diploma in your grasp and you just can’t wait to finally leave this town and go off to college- the “best years of your life” as you’ve probably heard it deemed many times. But I’m here to tell you that, even though you may feel overly prepared to leave everything behind in hopes of achieving that coveted college status, it’s time to take a deep breath and slow down. As a current college student, I can tell you that being away at college is definitely one of the best parts of my life so far but one of my biggest regrets is not appreciating every last moment of my summer before moving into my freshman dorm room.

After seeing the same people every day for the last twelve or more years you may have become so accustomed to always having them there that you don’t realize the gravity of the situation: in a matter of months you may be thousands of miles apart with only texts and FaceTime to bridge the gap. Further, not all of your high school friendships will survive the distance during the next year you’re apart so be sure that you make an effort to preserve the relationships you deem worth keeping around. Also, while you are giving your friends an extra bit of love this summer before you go your separate ways, don’t forget to do the same to the people who have put up with you for far longer. While they have probably felt annoying or bothersome these past eighteen years- not to mention especially clingy at the moment while you’re trying to leave them- remember that your parents did, in fact, raise you and put up with you for this long so they are going to have a tough time not babying you while you’re away at school. Just be sure that they know you will always love them and call them every day, or at least try to.

This next chapter of your life will be filled with new and exciting adventures, but don’t try to grow up too fast. The school year will be here soon enough and then you’ll be wishing it was still summer. So appreciate the time you have at home, with your friends, in your own bed, and surrounded by your loved ones because trust me there will be some days, especially at the beginning and around finals, where all you will want is a hug from your mom and your pet to cuddle with. You may think that you’ve finally finished all of your “lasts” with graduation but you are sorely mistaken. Just wait until your last weekend at the lake with all your friends, your last sleepover, your last night in your own bed, or the last time you’ll see your pet- or family members- until Thanksgiving or even Christmas. I didn’t even realize that all of these lasts were happening for me last summer because I was too focused on daydreaming about what college was going to be like and designing the perfect dorm room. So my advice to you is to live in the moment and appreciate all of the people you’ve been blessed enough to see every day simply because you lived in the same school district. Don’t focus on college too much because you will have enough time to do that in the next four years but you only have this one summer until you all go your separate ways.

While you’ve been in school for more than twelve years now, just know that your journey (and studying) has only just begun. Remember to enjoy life and laugh often because no one really knows where they will be in the next few years and getting there is half the fun.